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Legal 282 days ago | | 8 Comments

Use of GPS tracking app deemed legal, protect your Android!

AndroidLost

A magistrate in the Australia Capital Territory has today found that the use of tracking application to find your stolen device is legal. It was found that the use of a tracking application on an iPhone, in order to track a stolen iPad was acceptable. The man who had his iPad stolen tracked his device to an unknown garage. Luckily, he heard his iPad make a ringing sound from within the garage and informed the police, who found numerous other stolen goods within the property owner’s garage.

So, what does this mean for us Androiders? We can now use a tracking application in order to locate our phones or tablets if they happen to be lost or stolen – and it’s legal!

I am going to take this opportunity  to tell everyone to go and download an app like Where’s My Droid or any other device tracking app to keep your personal information safe, and to make sure you can find your phone in the event that it does get lost or stolen.

Editor’s Note: Losing your phone can be very serious and we really do suggest getting one of these apps. Now that it has been deemed legal (in Australia at least) we can feel comfortable tracking down any thieves that may snatch our devices!

Source: ABC

Written by : Josh is a dedicated student and an Android-lover. At the dawn of his (brief) telecommunications career, Josh fell in love with all-things-Android - especially Android apps. In his spare time, Josh would be found consuming copious amounts of caffeine.
  • Samuel

    I suggest Cerberus.

    There is nothing better.

  • Tim

    How on earth would tracking your own phone be illegal if it’s been stolen?

    • Josh Sharma

      The issue was never whether it was illegal, but it had never been determined. The judge found that electronic information transmitted via airwaves is in the public domain, as such, tracking software is okay. Now, it’s legality has be confirmed!

    • Cam Charles

      it wasn’t so much illegal as just not determined either way, but the real issue was that even if you tracked it to someones house, because of the grey area it was in, it wasn’t really a reason for a warrant meaning you would know it was in there but couldn’t do jack about it unless you could see it, without trespassing, or hear it in this case, which i imagine is the only reason a warrant was gained in this case, deeming it legal now makes it a bonified reason for a warrant.

  • Reece

    Also there’s an app called Plan B which you can remotely push to your phone via the play store website to track it, so you don’t need it installed before it is lost.

  • Reece

    p.s. Cool graphic guys ;D

  • gurgle

    I can recommend Prey

  • Cam Charles

    lol legal or not if someone stole my phone i would be tracking it down, but its good to know that its now sanctioned and recognised, the biggest bonus here being that its legal reason for a warrant where as before the cops would just say “cant help you”