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Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

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Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#31
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I noticed that in Abrego Garcia's recent indictment they were able to figure out he was in 2022 based on ALPR pulls that showed he was actually putzing around Texas. My understanding was most ALPRs were being stored for no more than 30 days but apparently that isn't the case, since it appears they did not start to build the trafficking case until this year.

There's networks of these things, so you can't trust what is said. The host agency may keep for 30 days, but exchange data with third parties, through organizations like NLETS, private collaborations and informal exchange. I'd assume with NLETS searches that the Feds have an overwatch capability and spy on the spies so to speak. This stuff started with "drug corridors". Police and Feds can and do track vehicles on th…

Every semi truck these days can be factory equipped with cameras which are all stored in the cloud and analyzed as the service provider sees fit. And if they're not factory equipped they probably have a 3rd party solution in the cab and the same thing is being done.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#32
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep. Their brand of ALPR cameras have spread like a plague very quickly all over the US

I noticed that in Abrego Garcia's recent indictment they were able to figure out he was in 2022 based on ALPR pulls that showed he was actually putzing around Texas. My understanding was most ALPRs were being stored for no more than 30 days but apparently that isn't the case, since it appears they did not start to build the trafficking case until this year.

In some of the Fani Willis court proceedings they dredged up ~10yo cell phone location data like it was nothing about people who weren't relevant enough to warrant special attention 10yr ago.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#33
post #12

These efforts are commendable, but by and large I think our location data is just a commodity by now and it is best not to assume you can reliably hide your location permanently and reliably without spending a lot of effort. Not that I'd find that idea pleasant, I just think the ship has sailed.

That ship is more than capable of being put back in a bottle with enough political will. We just need to come together enough to get the message heard.

[deleted]

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The security nihilism is thinking you'd need special hardware to stalk someone, when a malicious app on the victims phone does the job.

IT's easy to replace a phone, a car not so much

Several of my cheapest cars (and quite a few of my cheapest motorcycles) have cost me less than my most expensive phones.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#35
post #29
post #2

Better hope your stalker isn't friends with a law enforcement officer either: https://deflock.me/

Do you know if they also monitor bluetooth devices? Like all cars have one and if should be detectable. Also, most recent cars have DCM which are always sending data, including position to the car maker.

They have Bluetooth hardware but doesn't appear they monitor with it based on available information.

https://www.ryanohoro.com/post/spotting-flock-safety-s-falco...

https://www.cehrp.org/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera/

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#36
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I noticed that in Abrego Garcia's recent indictment they were able to figure out he was in 2022 based on ALPR pulls that showed he was actually putzing around Texas. My understanding was most ALPRs were being stored for no more than 30 days but apparently that isn't the case, since it appears they did not start to build the trafficking case until this year.

In some of the Fani Willis court proceedings they dredged up ~10yo cell phone location data like it was nothing about people who weren't relevant enough to warrant special attention 10yr ago.

Is that accurate? The Willis proceedings were about events around 2021, so that's only 4 years at best

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#37
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep. Their brand of ALPR cameras have spread like a plague very quickly all over the US

I noticed that in Abrego Garcia's recent indictment they were able to figure out he was in 2022 based on ALPR pulls that showed he was actually putzing around Texas. My understanding was most ALPRs were being stored for no more than 30 days but apparently that isn't the case, since it appears they did not start to build the trafficking case until this year.

https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-c...

https://docs.flocksafety.com/developer-hub/docs/introduction

https://www.flocksafety.com/devices/flock-nova

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#38
post #29
post #2

Better hope your stalker isn't friends with a law enforcement officer either: https://deflock.me/

Do you know if they also monitor bluetooth devices? Like all cars have one and if should be detectable. Also, most recent cars have DCM which are always sending data, including position to the car maker.

Bluetooth doesn’t have the signal strength beyond 20ft. Even then it requires a handshake pairing to send data as every device shares spectrum.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#39
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep. Their brand of ALPR cameras have spread like a plague very quickly all over the US

I noticed that in Abrego Garcia's recent indictment they were able to figure out he was in 2022 based on ALPR pulls that showed he was actually putzing around Texas. My understanding was most ALPRs were being stored for no more than 30 days but apparently that isn't the case, since it appears they did not start to build the trafficking case until this year.

The images and video clips are stored for 30 days. The metadata (OCRed plate, and timestamp) are stored forever. Sorry I mean “may be stored indefinitely”.

Source: the privacy policy of the shopping mall near me, who installed these things even before the city did.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#40
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you know if they also monitor bluetooth devices? Like all cars have one and if should be detectable. Also, most recent cars have DCM which are always sending data, including position to the car maker.

Bluetooth doesn’t have the signal strength beyond 20ft. Even then it requires a handshake pairing to send data as every device shares spectrum.

BLE transmissions go much further last time I experimented with them [0]. However the problem of anonymity comes into play since they frequently generate new MAC addresses.

[0]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38252566

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