Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#1

Post by gnabgib » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 7:10 PM UTC

Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers
researchgate.net

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#2

Post by goda90 » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 8:09 PM UTC

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

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#3

Post by Daviey » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 8:54 PM UTC

Interesting research, but the paper does not address the contribution to the arms race of good vs bad. The criminals will likely use this technique to find legitimate car trackers before stealing the vehicle.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#4

Post by ge96 » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 9:01 PM UTC

goda90 wrote: post #2

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

that's not related to flock safety (company) is it?

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#5

Post by ge96 » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 9:02 PM UTC

Daviey wrote: post #3

Interesting research, but the paper does not address the contribution to the arms race of good vs bad. The criminals will likely use this technique to find legitimate car trackers before stealing the vehicle.

If you're lucky your car gets destroyed in a street takeover then insurance gives you a new car (points to head)

edit: on a more serious note, I figure I won't own a nice car till I move somewhere nicer

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#6

Post by sodality2 » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 9:09 PM UTC

ge96 wrote: post #4

goda90 wrote: post #2

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

that's not related to flock safety (company) is it?

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

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#7

Post by ge96 » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 9:11 PM UTC

sodality2 wrote: post #6

ge96 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

that's not related to flock safety (company) is it?

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

Interesting I had actually considered getting a job there at one point ha... it's like Anduril you know, seems like a cool company but the purpose... Also doubt I'm qualified but yeah.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#8

Post by defsectec » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 9:14 PM UTC

ge96 wrote: post #4

goda90 wrote: post #2

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

that's not related to flock safety (company) is it?

The map of ALPR nodes show that some are installed by "Flock Safety" when you click on a single one and view the details.

So I would assume those two things are directly connected.

Just speculation though. Don't have time to verify currently.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#9

Post by weinzierl » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 9:26 PM UTC

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.

Re: Detection of hidden cellular GPS vehicle trackers

#10

Post by JohnMakin » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 9:30 PM UTC

weinzierl wrote: post #9

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.

This isn't a generic data privacy counter-measure or concern. This is specifically targeted against stalking, which is pretty much one of only a few cases where this kind of thing would be used against you. Specifically the case where the perpetrator will place a device in or on the victim's car.