Mobile Phone Tracking – Its Disadvantages Explained

As tracking mobile phones becomes increasingly easy to undertake there are a number of issues regarding the disadvantages and problems that mobile tracking has over conventional tracking devices.

Coverage
Mobile phone tracking works on sending a signal to the mobile phone and monitoring where the return signal comes from by triangulating the distance from three or more phone masts. The problem with this form of tracking occurs when the phone is in a remote area or somewhere with poor coverage. If the mobile cannot connect to the masts or the signal is too weak then locating a person can be difficult.

Power
Battery life applies to all tracking devices, whether it is a conventional tracker, GPS phone or an ordinary mobile. Once the battery is dead or the phone is switched off there is no chance of tracing a persons whereabouts. With mobile phones the problem is less likely as more often than not people keep their phones charged up. However, it can be a particular frustration with tracking devices, which will need a constant check on battery charge.

Secrecy
If you wish to use your mobile phone as a tracking device for your car by simply leaving it in the glove compartment or door pocket it could become the next stolen item should your car be broken into and will serve no purpose in retrieving your car. You should, however, be able to find the thief. Tracking devices are smaller and less easy to detect making them more suitable for this kind of work.

Privacy
One of the main concerns people have over mobile phone tracking is the ease with which it can be undertaken. Simply knowing someone’s phone number and having access to their phone for five minutes is all you need to install a tracking account. Despite the illegality of this operation, there are always some people who are prepared to operate outside the law. The best way to protect against this is to always keep your phone close to you and check previous text messages, as this is how the tracking company informs you that they are providing the service.

Trust
One of the main issues with using phone tracking to monitor or track children or elderly relatives is the sense of a lack of trust on your part. Although you are likely to have resentment and arguments with children anyway, relatives may react equally as resentful despite all your good intentions.

Ultimately the issues will depend on what you decide to use a mobile phone tracker for. Whether it is intended for use in the countryside or a teenager’s pocket, to trace a possible lost car or let people know where you are.