For most people, GPS trackers offer a convenient way to know the real-time location of vehicles, young family members, and valuable possessions. But for others, GPS trackers serve as a tool for more nefarious activities, such as stalking. With GPS trackers becoming smaller — and thus more clandestine — than ever before, there’s been a sharp increase in the number of stalkers using this technology to keep track of their victims. One Congress-produced study found that 14% of stalking victims had their whereabouts tracked with an electronic device. 

An Affordable Solution

In theory, it is possible to find and remove a tracker that may have been placed in their vehicle or personal possessions. In practice, most people aren’t searching for GPS tracking devices on a daily basis, and even if they were, the size of such devices means that it’s far from guaranteed that they would be found.

To combat this issue, researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed an affordable, effective solution that allows people to determine whether there is a hidden GPS tracker in their vehicle. The tool, which costs around $150, can identify the presence of GPS trackers within a distance of three feet.  

How It Works

The hidden-tracker detection tool uses tinySA, a small spectrum analyzer that costs around $150. This device is usually used by ham radio enthusiasts and RF hobbyists, but in this instance allows everyday members of the public to identify any hidden trackers that may be in their vehicles.

The NYU Tandon researchers developed a special algorithm that works with the tinySA device to detect weak LTE IoT signals, of the type that are commonly used in low-cost GPS trackers. If the user notices consistent signal peaks while driving, then that’ll be a sign that there’s a GPS tracker somewhere in their vehicle.

While the technology that underpins this system may sound complicated, using the device is not. No special knowledge is required to set up and operate the system, making it a viable solution for the millions of stalking victims in the US. 

Creating Your Own DIY Tracker Detection Tool

The hidden-tracker detection tool developed by the NYU Tandon researchers is the most effective tool to date, but it’s not the only solution out there. Several apps that can detect Bluetooth-connected devices, Apple’s Find My feature, and homemade hidden-tracker devices are other options. 

Two apps, Detectify and LightBlue, can be used to detect the Bluetooth and Wifi signals emitted from hidden trackers. Apple AirTags, meanwhile, will send an alert to nearby phones if they’re found to be moving with someone who isn’t its owner. You can also create your own hidden-tracker detection device using a hand-held frequency detector, which can detect frequency signals associated with GPS tracking devices. 

The Future of Tracker Detection 

With GPS trackers becoming more advanced and discreet than ever before, it’s likely that we’ll see an increase in the number of stalkers using them against their victims. Thankfully, thanks to the work of NYU Tandon researchers, victims now have a viable and affordable tool they can use to protect themselves.