How to Tell If the Police Have Installed a GPS Tracker on Your Car (and What to Do Next)
There are many great uses of GPS tracking technology . But tracking technology quickly breaks down when someone plants it on your belongings without your knowledge – such as the police , who are increasingly using these devices to monitor the movements of people involved in investigations (cops may even shoot one of them into a car during a strong impact). high speed chase!). If you’re now paranoid about cops tracking your car, here’s what you need to know.
What the law says about the placement of GPS trackers
Police officers have a 100% legal right to install a tracking device on your car without your knowledge, but they must have a warrant giving them permission to do so. This issue was settled by the Supreme Court in United States v. Jones in 2012, which found that an unauthorized GPS device violated the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unlawful search.
However, attorney Andrew Flachet points out that these warrants are often very easy for police to obtain, and in some states can even get them issued by magistrates (who are not judges and sometimes not even lawyers). This means the police can probably legally put a GPS tracker on your car even if you haven’t done anything wrong, as long as they’re willing to file the paperwork.
Of course, such trackers are easy to buy and install by anyone, not just police officers. But if you find one, you should be careful in your answer.
Where to look for a GPS tracker
First, how can you even tell if you’re being tracked by one of these devices? Most police departments won’t use a Tile or AirTag – they prefer a magnetic tracker that can be quickly attached to the outside of your vehicle. To determine if you are being followed, start with a visual inspection. Common places to mount trackers include:
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Side mirrors
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Vehicle chassis (including exhaust pipes)
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Wheel arches
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Bumpers
If you can’t see anything from the outside of the car, you should also check the interior. While less likely, it is entirely possible that the tracker was installed inside the vehicle if that were possible. Places to check include:
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Under and between seats
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Under rugs and rugs
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In the glove compartment
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Attached to the dashboard
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Inserts into the vehicle’s OBD2 data port, if equipped (usually under the steering column).
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Inside the trunk
You want something that stands out and can be easily removed – these trackers are usually relatively small and encased in black plastic. You can also purchase GPS detectors and ” bug zappers ” that scan the frequencies used by these devices and alert you to their presence.
What to do if you find a GPS tracker
If you find a GPS tracker on your car, your first instinct may be to remove it. If the device was not installed by law enforcement, you have every right to remove it, but if it was located by the police with a proper warrant, removing it may be a mistake. While there have been cases where police have simply demanded the return of a device after it has been discovered and seized, there have also been cases where police have used the seizure of these devices as probable cause to proceed. For example, in Indiana in 2018, a man discovered and removed the GPS tracker from his car—and police used that removal to obtain a new search warrant for his home (where, it should be noted, they found methamphetamine).
The police were ultimately found to be in the wrong, and the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that removing the tracker did not constitute theft or probable cause; the evidence they collected during the raid was hidden. But it shows that removing a GPS tracker can cause unpredictable reactions if it’s installed by law enforcement. Since you cannot determine who installed it just by looking at the tracker, it is best to leave it in place and contact a lawyer who can help you determine whether you are under investigation and advise you on the specific laws in this area. your condition related to GPS trackers (which vary ). In the meantime, if you have the option of using an alternative means of transportation, you should do so.