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NYU Technology Detects Hidden GPS Trackers and Can Help Domestic Violence Victims Identify Stalking with a Simple and Affordable Method
A team of researchers from NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering has developed a new method to identify hidden GPS trackers in vehicles. The technology offers an affordable and practical alternative for domestic violence victims monitored by partners or ex-partners.
Technology Against Technological Stalking
The research is led by assistant professor Danny Y. Huang, who supervises the team responsible for the innovation. The group aimed to find a simple and cheap way to identify hidden trackers, often used by abusers to clandestinely monitor victims.
According to Huang, the technology industry has created many tools that end up being repurposed for stalking and spying on individuals. “The technology industry has created many tools that can be repurposed for cyberstalking, but has invested much less in technologies that protect privacy,” he stated. He believes that the new approach can provide more security and control for victims.
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GPS Tracking: A Common Problem
PhD candidate Moshe (Mo) Satt, who works with Huang, is the lead author of the study. He will present the results at the USENIX VehicleSec ’25 conference in Seattle in August.
For Satt, the practice of GPS tracking in cases of domestic violence is common. “We wanted to develop a tool to combat this problem that was affordable and potentially very easy to use,” he said.
Satt is also the Chief Information Security Officer for the New York Department of Sanitation and teaches cybersecurity courses at NYU Tandon.
Simple Device, Effective Result
The solution developed is based on using the tinySA, a portable spectrum analyzer that costs around US$ 150. Typically used by radio enthusiasts to test antennas and fix issues with wireless equipment, the device has been adapted with a specialized algorithm.
This algorithm can identify weak signals from trackers amid the noise of cellular transmissions. It focuses on the uplink LTE IoT frequency bands, which are used by many modern GPS trackers.
Detection While Driving
With the new setup, anyone can use the tinySA as a mobile detection system. While driving, one simply needs to observe the regular signal peaks.
If they appear frequently, a tracker may be present in the vehicle. The technology works within a radius of up to 90 centimeters.
According to the study, even those without technical knowledge can operate the system. This represents a significant advancement for those who need to act discreetly and quickly.
The research was developed in response to a public safety issue. It is estimated that 13.5 million people are stalked in the United States every year.
Of these cases, 80% involve some form of technological stalking. In some instances, GPS surveillance has already resulted in physical assaults.
The team plans to expand the utility of the system. Among the next steps are the development of smartphone-integrated versions, automated detection models, partnerships with victim support organizations, and even mobile assistance services similar to towing or insurance. The aim is to make tracker detection more common, secure, and accessible for those in need.
Information from Tech Explore.
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