GPS tracking technology offers numerous benefits, from keeping tabs on your teenagers to safeguarding valuable assets. However, this technology takes a concerning turn when deployed covertly, especially without your consent. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly utilizing GPS trackers to monitor individuals under investigation. Stories even circulate of police deploying these devices during high-speed pursuits by launching them onto vehicles. This raises a critical question for many: Could the police be tracking my car? Here’s what you need to know to address that concern.
The Legality of GPS Trackers Placed by Law Enforcement
It’s indeed legal for law enforcement to place a GPS tracking device on your vehicle without your knowledge. However, this legality hinges on a crucial requirement: they must obtain a warrant beforehand. This legal precedent was established in the landmark 2012 Supreme Court case, United States v. Jones. The court ruled that installing a GPS tracker without a warrant constitutes a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches.
Despite this ruling, legal expert Andrew Flusche points out that obtaining such warrants is often a relatively straightforward process for the police. In some jurisdictions, these warrants can even be authorized by magistrates, who may not always be judges or even lawyers. This means that even without any suspicion of wrongdoing on your part, police could potentially place a GPS tracker on your car, provided they complete the necessary paperwork.
While law enforcement agencies utilize sophisticated tracking devices, it’s important to remember that GPS trackers are readily available to anyone. If you suspect a tracker on your vehicle, careful inspection and a measured response are essential.
Where to Search for a GPS Tracker on Your Car
The first step in determining if your car is being tracked is to conduct a thorough search. Police departments typically favor magnetic trackers for their ease of attachment to a vehicle’s exterior, rather than consumer-grade options like Tile or AirTags. Begin your inspection externally, focusing on these common attachment points:
- Side Mirrors: Check both the mirror housing and the area where the mirror attaches to the car door.
- Undercarriage: Examine the frame, exhaust pipes, and any accessible areas underneath the vehicle.
- Wheel Wells: Inspect behind the tires and within the wheel well housing.
- Bumpers: Look at both the front and rear bumpers, including underneath and behind license plates.
Image alt: Inspecting a car side mirror for GPS tracker, focusing on the mirror’s edge.
If an exterior search yields nothing, proceed to check the interior. While less common for law enforcement, a tracker could be placed inside the car if access was possible. Key interior locations include:
- Under Seats: Check beneath all seats, including the front and back.
- Between Seats: Inspect the crevices and gaps between seats.
- Under Rugs and Mats: Lift up floor mats and carpets to check underneath.
- Glove Compartment: Examine the contents and the inside walls of the glove compartment.
- Attached to Dashboard: Look for anything unusual attached to or under the dashboard.
- OBD2 Data Port: The On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD2), usually located under the steering column, is a potential spot. Some trackers can be plugged directly into this port. While checking your OBD2 port, you might consider exploring the Best Obd2 App Lifehacker style to understand your car’s data and performance. These apps, readily available for smartphones, can provide valuable insights into your vehicle’s health, though they aren’t designed for detecting GPS trackers.
- Inside the Trunk: Search throughout the trunk, including under the spare tire and lining.
Trackers are typically small, encased in black plastic, and designed to be easily attached and removed. You are looking for anything that seems out of place or doesn’t belong to your car. For a more technological approach, you can purchase dedicated GPS detectors or “bug sweepers.” These devices scan for the radio frequencies used by GPS trackers and will alert you if a tracker is detected nearby.
Image alt: Car mechanic inspecting under car hood, symbolizing vehicle maintenance and checks for devices.
What to Do If You Find a GPS Tracker
Discovering a GPS tracker on your car can trigger an immediate urge to remove it. If the tracker was placed by someone without legal authority, you are within your rights to remove it. However, if law enforcement placed the device with a warrant, removing it could have unintended consequences.
While some cases have emerged where police simply requested the return of a removed device, in other instances, removing a tracker has been used as justification for further action. A notable case in Indiana in 2018 illustrates this point. A man who found and removed a GPS tracker from his vehicle inadvertently provided the police with grounds to obtain a new warrant to raid his home, where they subsequently found illegal substances.
Although the Indiana Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of the man, deeming the tracker removal neither theft nor probable cause, and suppressing the evidence found during the raid, this case highlights the unpredictable repercussions of removing a tracker potentially placed by law enforcement.
Since it’s impossible to ascertain who placed a tracker simply by looking at it, the safest course of action is to leave it undisturbed and immediately contact a lawyer. Legal counsel can help you determine if you are under investigation and advise you on the specific laws regarding GPS trackers in your jurisdiction, as these laws can vary significantly from state to state. In the interim, if possible, using an alternative vehicle is advisable.
Image alt: Person consulting with a lawyer in an office setting, representing legal advice after finding a GPS tracker.
