Is DIY GPS Tracking Worth the Risk?

In a world filled with smart devices, tracking someone's location might seem as easy as planting an AirTag or installing a simple app. But in Western Australia, the law is very clear: unauthorised GPS tracking is a criminal offense. If you're considering using GPS tools on your own, whether as a concerned spouse or a curious employer, it’s vital to understand the legal and social consequences.

DIY GPS Tracking: What’s the Real Risk?

Technology has made it easier than ever to monitor movement. GPS trackers, Bluetooth devices like Apple AirTags, and smartphone apps all promise a simple way to “know where someone is.” But placing any tracking device on a person or their property without their consent is a risky move — legally, morally, and socially.

Even if your intentions feel justified, like checking on a loved one or keeping tabs on a vehicle you co-own, using tracking tools without the other person's knowledge can backfire in serious ways.

WA Laws: Strict Penalties for Unauthorised Tracking

Under the Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA), it is illegal to install, use, or maintain a tracking device to determine someone’s location without their explicit consent. That means you cannot:

• Attach a GPS tracker to someone else’s car or bag without permission

• Use tracking apps on a partner’s or child’s phone without their knowledge (if they're over 18)

• Secretly monitor an employee’s location without disclosing it

Penalties for breaking these laws include fines of up to $5,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment. Even purchasing or using a tracking device on behalf of someone else can land you in legal trouble.

Social Fallout: More Than Just a Fine

Beyond the legal side, unauthorised tracking is often seen as stalking — a serious accusation with lasting social implications. People who find themselves tracked without consent feel violated and may report it to police. Relationships (whether personal or professional) can suffer irreparable damage when trust is broken this way.

Using tracking technology without permission can result in being labeled a stalker, an abuser, or a manipulator — labels that are difficult to shake off in both public and private life.

Why DIY GPS Tracking Is Harder Than It Looks

Many people assume tracking someone is as easy as slipping a device into their bag or car. In reality, modern tracking tools are designed with built-in safeguards that make unauthorised use both difficult and risky.

For example, Apple AirTags — a popular Bluetooth tracker — are built to prevent stalking. If an AirTag is traveling with someone who doesn't own it, their iPhone will send them a notification that says: “AirTag Found Moving With You.” Even if the person uses an Android phone, they can still detect unknown trackers using Apple's “Tracker Detect” app. After a short time, the AirTag also emits an audible beep through its built-in speaker, further alerting the target.

On top of that, AirTags and similar devices must be registered to a personal Apple or Google account. That means any activity, including attempted tracking, is tied directly back to the account holder — making the user personally traceable and legally accountable.

Smartphones themselves also have strong privacy settings. If you try to install a tracking app or secretly share someone’s location, most devices will notify the user or show obvious signs of unusual activity. Android and iOS regularly prompt users to review which apps are accessing their location and for what purpose.

And don’t forget: using these tools often requires technical skill. Hiding or disabling alerts, avoiding detection, and managing remote access are far beyond the average person’s abilities — and trying to “outsmart” these systems can raise even more red flags.

In short, modern GPS and Bluetooth trackers are built to protect people, not secretly track them. DIY tracking attempts using these devices are more likely to get caught, expose your identity, and land you in legal trouble — all without delivering the results you hoped for.

When Technology Gets It Wrong

DIY tracking tools can easily create false assumptions. Because GPS and Bluetooth accuracy depends on the type of device, phone settings, browser permissions, signal quality, and nearby networks, location data can freeze, jump, or show outdated coordinates. This can make it appear that someone has been at a location they never visited — leading to unnecessary conflict, wrongful accusations of infidelity, or suspicion directed at a complete stranger. These products were not designed for covert surveillance, and trusting inaccurate technology can put relationships and reputations at risk. Professional surveillance ensures information is gathered lawfully, verified, and reliable — not based on a glitch.

A Safer Option

If you're genuinely concerned for someone’s safety or whereabouts, or want to test legal GPS tracking technology for yourself, there are legitimate tools available. For example, Bullseye Investigations offers a free online GPS demo tool where users can safely explore how location detection works — try it here: https://privatebullseye.github.io/investigations-tools/gps.html

This tool is perfect for:

• Testing how accurate GPS tracking can be

• Understanding the limits of device-based geolocation

• Showing clients how consent-based tracking works

But remember: just because a tool exists, doesn’t mean it's legal to use it on someone else without their consent.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a spouse worried about a partner, a business owner checking up on company vehicles, or just curious about surveillance technology, the message is clear: get legal advice before taking action. In Western Australia, unauthorised GPS tracking is not just a bad idea — it's potentially criminal.

Stick to transparency, get consent, and use tools like our demo page for education — not covert surveillance.

If you need reliable, legal surveillance conducted by professionals, Bullseye Investigations Pty Ltd offers discreet, compliant, and results-driven services. We have the training, licensing, and tools to investigate matters thoroughly without crossing legal lines. Let us help you uncover the truth — the right way. Contact us today to discuss your case confidentially.