TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - WTXL is taking a look at the legality of tracking devices after authorities say a Florida lawyer used a GPS tracking device to stalk his ex-girlfriend.
A Google search of "GPS tracker" yields more than 15 million results. It's an easy way to get your hands on cheap but powerful tracking devices.
Many products are touted as a safe way to keep track of your family, but there is a dark side to this technology. The devices, once only used by law enforcement and private investigators, are now alarmingly accessible, with some selling online for less than $100 dollars. They can also be virtually undetectable.
"It can be placed where a person would have to rip their car apart to find it," said Rick Kolodgy, owner of Capital City Investigations in Tallahassee. Kolodgy says he worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years before becoming a private investigator.
He used to use GPS trackers in his investigations, but now it's illegal after a law passed a few years ago making it a misdemeanor in Florida to use a device to track someone without their consent. However, Kolodgy says that doesn't stop everyone.
"People call me up and either want me to do it or they've already done it," said Kolodgy. "At that point, I'll tell them I can't do it or if they've done it, not a lot of people know about it but what you're doing is illegal."
Thanks to technology, it's also easier than ever to track another person.
"If you have a smart phone, you can have one on the way in about five minutes," said Kolodgy.
In most cases, someone would need physical access to your phone to install a tracking app on it. However, with the iPhone's "Find my Friends" app, as long as both parties agree, the other person can see a live look at your location.
Using a tracker without consent in Florida can land you in jail for up to six months. However, it's still legal for law enforcement and parents who track their children.
Experts say if you suspect someone is tracking your vehicle with a GPS, go to a reputable repair shop and ask them to check the undercarriage of your car.
