With missing person cases making headlines, more people are using location sharing, but there are risks. — 123rf
WHEN singer and YouTuber Nidza Afham went missing on the evening of Aug 13, his sister turned to X (formerly known as Twitter) the next day to seek help from the online community in locating him.
Unfortunately, by that evening, the police confirmed the tragic news: Nidza’s body had been found. The police classified the case as a sudden death. While no criminal elements were found, the investigation is still ongoing.
The story of Nidza’s disappearance and the subsequent discovery of his body captured the attention of social media users across the nation.
Many took to social networks to express their sorrow and voice concerns over what they perceived as a rise in missing person cases in Malaysia, highlighting the need for greater awareness and preventive measures to address such incidents.
Users also noted that just a month earlier, on July 11, university graduate Nur Farah Kartini was reported missing. Her story also ended tragically when police confirmed her body was found in Hulu Selangor on July 15.
Last Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain urged the public to start using mobile phone tracking apps to monitor their family members’ whereabouts.
“As parents, you should know about your children’s activities. For myself as a husband and father, I stay informed about their movements through a tracking app on the phone. I have to be aware of their movements even though I am the IGP,” he said to reporters during a press conference in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
In a statement to LifestyleTech, Keeper Security CEO and co-founder Darren Guccione said location-sharing apps can enhance security and convenience, allowing users to coordinate plans, locate lost devices or monitor loved ones.
Location tracking is also built into most phones. Apple’s iPhone and iPad come with the Find My app, which has a Share My Location feature that allows others to track their movements.
Since the iOS 15 update, released in 2021, Apple users can share their live location in real time. This will allow their friends to use the Maps app to get directions to their current whereabouts.
On Android devices, Google Maps not only lets users share their location with others but also allows them to choose how long others can see it.
Ian Hall, APAC head of client services for Synopsys Software Integrity Group, says users could also rely on Bluetooth-enabled tracking devices.
“For example, Apple AirTag and Samsung Galaxy SmartTag are small Bluetooth devices that rely on the network of existing iPhones and Android phones to crowdsource and track the location of a tagged item. Typically used to track the location of items like car keys, many people have also started to use them to track their loved ones,” Hall says.
Users on X have reported using Bluetooth-enabled devices from various manufacturers to keep track of their children as they head to school or out in public.
One X user, Faisal Rahim, shared his experience of using an AirTag to receive updates on his mother’s location during her Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in January. He said it was particularly helpful as it eliminated the need for his mother to call or send WhatsApp messages to update him on her whereabouts.
Despite the convenience, Bluetooth trackers have a disadvantage that Hall says more users should be made aware of.“Since the location is crowdsourced (by connecting with other nearby devices), it can be unreliable. In fact, Google specifically engages in rate-limiting to address potential privacy issues,” he claims.
Hall suggests choosing GPS devices that connect directly to satellites instead of just relying on mobile networks for more reliable tracking. — IAN HALL
Rate-limiting controls how often data requests can be made, preventing excessive network traffic and protecting privacy by limiting the amount of location data gathered.
Hall suggests GPS devices like Garmin inReach and Spot Gen3 for more precise location tracking.
“These go beyond using mobile networks and directly connect to satellites to provide location sharing. It is primarily designed for wilderness expeditions rather than to track loved ones in an urban setting and has many other features, such as messaging too,” Hall adds.
Just a heads-up: GPS devices can be a bit pricey, and some might need extra subscriptions to unlock all the features.
On iPhone 14 or later, users can use its Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services and share their location information when no mobile or WiFi coverage is available.
Google has announced that a similar feature called Satellite SOS will be introduced to Android devices. However, both companies have said that users will have to pay to continue using the satellite features after two years of activation.
Every move you makeWhile people often use location tracking features for safety, experts warn that they can also pose significant privacy risks.
Guccione advises users to remain vigilant about the potential dangers associated with sharing their location.
He adds that users should be mindful of the information they share, as companies that store this data are vulnerable to breaches.
“Continuous tracking can pose significant privacy concerns, particularly if the data is accessed by unauthorised parties. Data breaches can lead to significant privacy violations and security threats, including identity theft or stalking,” he says.
Guccione says users should be mindful of the information they share, as companies that store this data are vulnerable to breaches. — DARREN GUCCIONE
In April, TechCrunch reported that a researcher discovered security bugs in the location-tracking app iSharing that exposed user details, including coordinates, name and phone number used to log into the app.
The company behind the app, which claimed to have more than 35 million users, fixed the vulnerability once TechCrunch reached out to them about the researcher’s concerns.
According to Clement Lee, security architect for the APAC region at Check Point Software Technologies, it’s important to recognise that no device is completely immune from hacking, despite companies pledging strong privacy controls and policies.
“Additionally, physical trackers can be easily discovered and removed by perpetrators, particularly in regions where stripping victims of their belongings is a common tactic to evade tracking,” Lee says.
When using location tracking, Lee says it’s essential to establish clear boundaries that respect personal space while addressing safety concerns. — CLEMENT LEE
However, he also acknowledges that well-designed and widely recognised trackers could serve as a powerful deterrent, “as potential offenders may be dissuaded by the risk of being tracked”.
While users may have the technical know-how to utilise location-sharing features, Hall emphasises the importance of practising good etiquette, such as obtaining consent from the person being tracked.
“Consent is crucial when tracking someone’s location, as not everyone may agree to be monitored, even with the best intentions,” he says.
“This is the reason both Apple and Google provide a feature for tracking unknown devices that will notify a user if a tracker (potentially placed without their knowledge) has been found near them,” he says.
In May, Apple and Google joined forces to create a Bluetooth tracking feature that will alert users on both iOS and Android if a tracking device is secretly being used to follow them.
The initiative aims to stop the misuse of these devices, which are meant to help keep track of belongings. Apple rolled out this feature in iOS 17.5, and Google added it to Android 6.0+ devices.
According to a Google support page, if a user gets an unknown tracker alert, they can open the Maps app to track the device and tap “Play sound” to locate it.
Also, the police should be contacted if users feel unsafe due to an unknown tracker.
Hall recommends that location sharing features be used only for certain times, to which Guccione agrees as a way to strike a balance between safety and privacy.
“Individuals should consider temporary location sharing options and limit tracking to specific scenarios,” Guccione says.
For example, if you’re meeting friends somewhere or checking out a new spot, you can share your location with them for an hour. It’s an easy way to let them know you’re on your way.
Lee says that when tracking is necessary, even for safety, it’s essential to communicate openly and set clear boundaries that respect personal space while addressing safety concerns.
“Ultimately, the goal should be to find a reasonable compromise that ensures protection without infringing on personal autonomy, assuming all actions are taken with good intentions,” Lee concludes.
