Why do people believe that GPS tracking is so simple?
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.
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)