Sharp rise in abusers using GPS devices to stalk victims
The Independent|June 25, 2024
Woman tells how her ex-boyfriend was able to secretly follow her for months by using a tracking app hidden on her phone
TARA COBHAM
Sharp rise in abusers using GPS devices to stalk victims

A woman says she was left "terrified" by her abusive ex-boyfriend after he stalked her for months using a secretly downloaded tracking device on her mobile phone.

Lisa said her former partner downloaded a tracking app on her phone without her knowledge in 2019 when they were still together. She said he used the software – which was completely hidden from the owner of the phone – to follow her movements for a year. It was discovered by police some seven months after they had broken up when she was taken to hospital following an assault.

Even after the discovery, Lisa said, neither the technology company that created the app nor the police were able to remove it from her phone.

“It felt hopeless,” she told The Independent. “It’s not something you can really escape. Unless you know what to look for on your phone, you won’t know that you’re being watched. It’s terrifying to then be told that he’s got a copy of everything, [and] he knows where you are constantly. It was a really big invasion of my privacy and safety.”

GPS trackers have become popular in recent years, including the high-profile Apple AirTag – a small and lightweight device that was released in 2021. They were designed to locate items and help parents with their children’s safety. However, the products are increasingly becoming the tool of choice for abusers.

Denne historien er fra June 25, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 25, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE INDEPENDENTSe alt
EU Or The US? Starmer Has No Choice But To Pick A Side
The Independent

EU Or The US? Starmer Has No Choice But To Pick A Side

The prime minister opened his Mansion House speech on foreign policy with another of his over-emphatic declarations.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 04, 2024
Brexit Deals A £3bn-A-Year Blow To UK Food Exports
The Independent

Brexit Deals A £3bn-A-Year Blow To UK Food Exports

British food sales to the EU have fallen by almost a fifth since the end of the Brexit transition period, a new report shows

time-read
4 mins  |
December 03, 2024
Biden Criticised Across The Board For Pardoning His Son
The Independent

Biden Criticised Across The Board For Pardoning His Son

President’s decision slated by Republicans and Democrats

time-read
3 mins  |
December 03, 2024
Why 8 hours is a myth and other athletes' sleep secrets
The Independent

Why 8 hours is a myth and other athletes' sleep secrets

Performance coach Greg Meehan tells Alex Pattle how he keeps clients, including boxers and footballers, in top shape

time-read
4 mins  |
December 03, 2024
Women like me won't stand for this treatment any more
The Independent

Women like me won't stand for this treatment any more

When I woke up to MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace blaming midlife, middle-class women and their lack of a sense of humour for his troubles, I confess to swearing at my phone.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 03, 2024
The BBC's Wallace problem goes beyond MasterChef
The Independent

The BBC's Wallace problem goes beyond MasterChef

Is the fate of a television cookery presenter more important than Syrian insurgents seizing Aleppo and the turmoil on the streets in Georgia? The BBC thinks so, based on its news judgements in recent days, which have seen exhaustive coverage of the accusations against Gregg Wallace take precedence over matters of life and death around the world.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 03, 2024
Edwards knew that he was beaten but he never gave up
The Independent

Edwards knew that he was beaten but he never gave up

Former world flyweight champion told cornerman, 'I don't want to be here' after two rounds of his loss to Galal Yafai

time-read
3 mins  |
December 03, 2024
Proud Welshman who drew every drop from his talent
The Independent

Proud Welshman who drew every drop from his talent

Terry Griffiths was the first qualifier to lift the world crown

time-read
3 mins  |
December 03, 2024
Former world champion Terry Griffiths dies, aged 77
The Independent

Former world champion Terry Griffiths dies, aged 77

Tributes have been paid to former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths, who died on Sunday at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 03, 2024
Transformed Gravenberch embodies Slot's Liverpool
The Independent

Transformed Gravenberch embodies Slot's Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp had a habit of sounding prophetic. Or he had the capacity, whether through coaching and tactical prowess or force of personality, to make some of what he said come true.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 03, 2024