In fleet management, GPS, or global positioning system, acts as a part of telematics systems and allows business owners and managers to track their fleet in real-time. These systems collated data from multiple touchpoints on a vehicle to provide actionable business insights.
Currently, there are two types of GPS tracking systems available in the market, logger and live tracker. As the name suggests, a logger records vehicle location data and stores it on a connected storage device. Fleet owners can then connect this disk to a computer and analyze it using proprietary software.
On the other hand, a live tracker continuously sends location and time information to a receiver. Live trackers are used to monitor the real-time location of fleet vehicles and in advanced use cases like route optimization, etc.
If you suspect unethical vehicle tracking, you can look for ways to block the GPS signal, making it impossible to track your location. Here, we discuss the legality of vehicle tracking and how to block vehicle GPS tracking if you are being followed without your consent.
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The Legality of Vehicle GPS Tracking
Before implementing GPS for telematics and live tracking, fleet managers should spend some time studying the legality of these solutions.
Essentially, it is legal to use GPS tracking on any asset you or your business entity owns. So vehicles owned by a fleet business can be tracked by the owner, and they can use the data for legal proceedings in case of asset misuse.
However, fleet owners must also notify the drivers if a vehicle is under active monitoring. The exact laws change from time to time and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, so fleet owners looking to install GPS trackers should conduct thorough research beforehand.
How to Block GPS Vehicle Tracking
GPS technology relies on precise signal transmissions for location and navigation features. So, vehicle tracking using GPS technology can be blocked using jamming devices that interfere with these transmissions.
For instance, wrapping things like aluminum foil around the GPS receiver creates a Faraday Shield, which blocks the GPS signals. Similarly, wet trees and plastic or tin containers filled with thick materials can also scramble these signals and protect your GPS data.
Things to remember when blocking GPS
- In certain parts of the world, blocking GPS signals is illegal if you do not own the asset. Make sure you consult the appropriate authorities regarding what happens if you remove the GPS tracker on your car.
- A handheld GPS jammer is equally effective at hiding your location on the virtual map as an embedded one. Therefore, you do not need to hotwire a jammer if you decide to get one. Also, make sure you install one from a professional to avoid damaging other parts of the car.
- Consult your local law enforcement agency if you are unsure about the current status of your vehicle’s GPS status. You cannot remove GPS trackers installed as part of police enforcement.
Conclusion
A GPS receiver must have an unobstructed view of the satellite at all times to function correctly. A jammer sends out interfering radio signals to scramble the GPS signals and disrupt the functionality. Aluminum foils, plastic containers, metal boxes, and other similar items filled with dense materials can act as GPS jammers.
Note that fleet managers and business owners using a fleet management software will get real-time tamper notifications if a customer attempts to remove the GPS device. Ensure you contact appropriate law enforcement agencies before purchasing a GPS-blocking device.
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