Why do people believe that GPS tracking is so simple?

Question

Okay, so it's a common belief that by using a GPS navigation system that people with access to the GPS system can track your whereabouts. I've heard this from several people.

The belief even goes into the idea that you can be tracked via unpowered electronic indentification chips using the same system.

The obvious question for this is how can something be tracked electronically if it doesn't transmit of a radio signal? Most GPS navigation systems are simply recievers of GPS satellite data, unpowered RFID chips simply bounce back a signal from a close range transmitter such as those found in shops that set off alarms when you walk out the door. There is no longe range intrusion of privacy incurred, in fact there is more risk of that whenever your mobile phone is turned on and transmitting a signal.

Why do people think that by submitting themselves to GPS navigations systems, and even to ID chips, that their location can be tracked internationally? Are they simply misinformed?

ed: I think you're talking about GPRS. That's a data broadcasting standard, not a positioning system. You're right about triangulation, that's what I meant about location via phone signal.

Answer 1

what you say is true; neither GPS tracking nor passive RFIDs provide such tracking capabilities.. but!

a GPS - GPRS device can track you whereever there is a GPS line of site and a GPRS coverage! there are already GPS boards with built-in GPRS modems that would enable remote long... very long range tracking (theoritacilly anywhere if both GPS and GPRS are available... some GSM networks supports positioning (some parameter in the network) so in the very near future - if its not available yet - you will find GPRS tracking devices that will incorporate Cell-positioning and GPRS for tracking!

also, Active RFID tags can provide short range tracking capabilities which depends on the RFID tag and the surroundings, such Active RFID signal can be sent at white noise level and yet be recognised using smart modulation/coding and deconding techniques.

but as for the "public" and people misinformation and errounos information about tracking; i think it came from hollywood movies! you know all these fansy gadgets and tiny "(chips)" used to locate people even inside building and below ground using super satellites and so on... (davinci's code, the recruit, many others)

Answer 2

GPS systems in themselves cannot be tracked by others. The way a GPS system works is the satellites send out signals which are measured by the GPS system, which uses delay time in signal and information in the package sent from a number of satellites to triangulate where the GPS system is.

If a GPS system has a transmitter to send the location to a base station (such as a cell phone, or fleet positioning system, or something similar) the owner of that system can tell where the system is, but this is not the case for any of the store bought handheld or car nagivation systems.

Answer 3

Agreed. Cell phones can be located approximately using triangulation from base stations - this doesn't use GPS though. A whole area of business called "Location Based Services" is built on this facility

As for RFID, I agree they are passive. However, that doesn't stop police/others placing sensors near lots of doorways and checking RFID chips in passports etc. This is sort of tracking and might prove useful if you are trying to locate a criminal etc

Answer 4

They are thinking of cell phones. GPS features on cell phones can allow tracking. Cell phones can also be tracked by triangulation between cell towers.