GPS Ankle Bracelet Identifies Home Intruder

GPS tracking ankle bracelets have been in use by police departments for a number of years now. The goal is to prevent criminal offenders from committing further crimes by monitoring their movements using a GPS-equipped device that locks around the subject’s ankle. The devices serve both to deter the wearer from committing an additional crime and also to track their movements if a violation does occur.

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The devices are not fool-proof, and there have been cases where a parolee has managed to remove the device and disappear from police surveillance. However, most criminals are smart enough not to commit crimes with the device still intact. Most, but not all.

In May of this year, a Duluth, MN woman awoke to the sound of someone moving around in her home. A masked man entered her bedroom, demanded cash, and hit her with a vase. He then stole her phone, purses, and jewelry. The astonishing part of the story is that police found the suspect using his GPS-enabled ankle bracelet. The monitoring company confirmed that the suspect in question was at the woman’s home during the time of the robbery. Police obtained a warrant to search the man’s house where they found items that were allegedly stolen from the victim’s home. The suspect reportedly cut the bracelet off after the robbery.

Using GPS Ankle Bracelets To Prevent Crimes

Most of us shake our heads at the thought of someone attempting to commit a burglary while wearing a GPS tracking device. And the truth is that most criminals wouldn’t do it. That’s why the devices have become widely used to assist in law enforcement, especially for parolees. Many convicted offenders have restrictions on their behavior once they are released from prison, particularly those who were convicted of violent crimes and who may be a threat to others.

GPS tracking ankle bracelets are about the size of a large watch and provide real time data about the movements of the wearer. Some can even sense alcohol and drug use. The devices have been used to monitor released offenders in circumstances like these:

Domestic violence—If an offender is considered to pose a severe threat to his victim after hisrelease from prison, he may be required to wear an ankle bracelet. The bracelet helps ensure that he does not violate any restraining orders that may be in place. It can also send an alert both to the victim and to police if the wearer crosses a boundary, giving enough advance warning to prevent further harm to the victim.

Early parole—Overcrowded prisons have created a crisis situation in some states, leading to early parole programs for certain offenders. These offenders are often placed under a form of house arrest in which they are required to wear ankle bracelets so that police can monitor their activities remotely.

Violent crimes—Other violent crimes such as armed robbery, sex offenses, and injury to another person may result in a released prisoner being required to wear an ankle bracelet monitoring device.

The Limitations of Ankle Bracelets

Unfortunately, ankle bracelets are not fool-proof, which has led some critics to call for stricter measures. Criminals can sometimes cut the bracelets off, although doing so will send an immediate alert to the police. It can still give the offender enough of a start to escape or to commit an additional crime. As in the case of the Duluth robbery, people can commit crimes while wearing the bracelets. Particularly in cases of domestic violence offenders or sex offenders, the threat of prison may not be enough to keep the offender from committing additional crimes.

Despite these limitations, however, GPS tracking bracelets have proved helpful to cash-strapped departments whose prisons don’t have enough space to accommodate all offenders. Until a better solution can be devised, the bracelets do a better job than traditional house arrest and parole situations.

Taking a Bite Out of Crime

Although the Duluth man committed a robbery and injured a homeowner while wearing his ankle bracelet, the good news is that he was almost immediately apprehended and brought into custody. His charges include first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, and first-degree assault. Hopefully it will be some time before he’s out on the streets again, and perhaps this time he will have learned his lesson.

GPS tracking data gives police an edge over the criminals who try to defy the law. It allows better monitoring to be performed even with limited personnel. Alerts can be set to go off if the wearer crosses a boundary or removes the device, and gives police an exact location of the offender if something does go wrong.

No crime solution is perfect, but thanks to GPS tracking bracelets, fewer convicted offenders get away with additional attempted criminal behavior.

GPS Ankle Bracelet Identifies Home Intruder

South Korea Requests Approval to Buy GPS-Guided Missiles

GPS tracking has a long history of military use. The technology was first designed by the U.S. military to assist in tactical operations. As new and better applications have been developed, governments around the globe have also implemented GPS tracking for both military and civilian purposes. New military uses continue to surface, and one recent development is the GPS-guided missile.

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GPS-guided missiles use GPS satellite data to lock onto a target remotely, eliminating the need for manual guidance. Cluster bombs can be equipped with GPS technology, making them much more accurate as they seek out larger targets like armored vehicles. In June of 2012, South Korea formally requested approval to buy these missiles and the GPS-enabled tail kit that makes them more accurate weapons. Other nations have made similar requests, ostensibly with the goal of modernizing their military operations, remaining on par with potential opponents, and protecting their borders from attack.

How Does a GPS-Guided Missile Work?

GPS-guided missiles rely on satellite data to locate their targets. Before launch, the targets can be mapped out based on GPS coordinates, altitude above sea level, and other factors. The missile can also be programmed with the topography of the region, allowing it to follow the terrain and avoid detection by radar. Military GPS data is accurate to within inches of the intended target (much more accurate than civilian signals), making it a formidable tool in military operations.

GPS-guided missiles outperform the old laser-guided weapons, which could be stymied by rain or cloud cover. GPS signals are not diffused by atmospheric conditions, making them more reliable weapon enhancers.

Other Military Uses for GPS Tracking

GPS tracking has been a staple of military operation in the U.S. since it was first developed in the 1970s. Back then, it was used primarily to keep track of vehicles and personnel during times of deployment. Today, however, the potential applications have mushroomed, opening new possibilities for military engagement. Some potential uses being researched, tested, and future include:

Drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are a type ofaircraft that does not need to have a human pilot on board. They use GPS technology to guide the vehicle to its specified target.

G-LOC protection: G-force induced loss of consciousness, or G-LOC, occurs when a pilot loses consciousness due to an excessive amount of g-forces draining the blood away from the brain. Researchers are working to develop a GPS system that would register when a pilot is no longer navigating the plane and would automatically implement an automatic pilot system to prevent a crash.

Search and rescue: GPS tracking devices carried by each individual soldier increase the success rates of search and rescue operations.

As the technology continues to evolve, more and better applications will undoubtedly continue to emerge for military use. GPS tracking gives military operations an edge by enabling remote control of aircraft, better coordination and tracking of troops, and better identification of targets.

Does South Korea’s Request for GPS-Guided Missiles Have Implications for the U.S.?

South Korea’s request to purchase WCMD cluster bombs and their associated GPS-equipped tail kits isn’t unusual. Several other countries, including India, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia have made similar requests. The weapons would, however, provide a sophisticated level of defense against possible attacks from North Korea. They can be used to counter armored tanks as well as small boats approaching by water.

In order for any country to feel safe against attack, it must have weapons technology at least as effective–if not more so–as that of its nearest neighbors. Since North Korea has historically been antagonistic toward South Korea, the request for WCMD weaponry is most likely a defensive tactic. However, because the United States owns the satellites that provide data for the world’s GPS systems, the technology could theoretically be turned off in a time of war. There are a few other countries working to develop their own GPS satellite systems to prevent total loss of GPS data in the event of just such a measure.

The Future of GPS Tracking

The potential applications of GPS tracking are limited only by the creativity and resources of the scientists who develop them. Currently, the military uses the technology for:

• Navigation


• Reconnaissance


• Detonation detection


• Search and Rescue


• Target Tracking


• Guided Missiles

Other applications are already in the works, as discussed above. GPS technology has brought a new approach to military operations, both domestic and abroad. GPS-guided missiles are just the next step in a long history of military innovations designed to keep our military both competitive and as protected as possible. As long as the U.S. can keep its edge in the developmental arena, GPS tracking and its associated applications will continue to play a major role in both the defense of this nation and protection of others.

South Korea Requests Approval to Buy GPS-Guided Missiles

GPS Tracking Goes Dumpster Diving

Some industries are well-known for their use of GPS tracking to assist in the daily operations of their fleet vehicles. Construction vehicles, buses, taxis, police vehicles, long-distance truckers and many others use the technology to make sure each vehicle is where it’s supposed to be and to monitor their activities throughout the day. But one industry that may not be considered very often is the refuse industry. That’s right–garbage trucks.

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Most people don’t think about garbage trucks very often, but they perform an important function: keeping our towns, neighborhoods, and homes free of refuse. And thanks to a new type of scale designed by Air-Weigh, keeping accurate records in the refuse industry just got a whole lot easier.

What Does GPS Tracking Have to Do With Garbage Collection?

One of the most important functions performed by garbage collection trucks is keeping tabs on the dumpsters that are distributed around town. That means lifting, weighing, emptying, and replacing every dumpster on a regular basis, both the permanent and the temporary ones. Each of those dumpsters has a weight limit which, if exceeded, will result in extra charges. So who keeps track of all those bins and the weight of each one? The drivers do, and until recently, they had to do it manually using custom equipment.

Enter the BinMaxx XL onboard scale. Designed to take the work out of manually recording every dumpster’s location and weight, the Bin Maxx XL uses a GPS tracking device to pinpoint and record the location of each lift. Automating the process reduces the potential for error and helps ensure that data gets recorded accurately.

The BinMaxx XL allows operators to:

• Accurately record the location, time, and weight of each dumpster lift


• Download a daily report of the lift information for each truck


• Use Bluetooth receivers to quickly retrieve the information from each truck from a central location


• Store information in an easy-to-use format

It may not be the most glamorous innovation for GPS tracking, but it certainly makes a significant difference to the accuracy and ease of reporting for fleet managers in the refuse industry.

What Else Can Fleet Managers Do With GPS Tracking?

GPS tracking is gaining traction with regard to fleet vehicle management across many industries. Some of the most popular uses include:

Monitoring routes and stops: Both city buses and school buses often use GPStracking to monitor the location of each individual bus as it drives its route. This information can let people know if the bus is running on schedule or will be a few minutes late (which is great to know especially during inclement weather).

Protecting against theft: Construction vehicles and other expensiveequipment can be fitted with GPS tracking devices to ensure that the vehicle can be recovered in the event of a theft. Police departments also use the technology to monitor “bait cars” if they suspect a car theft ring is operating in the are

Reducing fuel usage: One of the greatest perks of GPS tracking for fleetvehicles is that it can help reduce the amount of fuel used by helping drivers choose shorter routes and practice more fuel-efficient driving habits. Many devices can monitor idle times and stops as well as location, helping managers encourage drivers to turn off the engine or plan deliveries using a more direct route.

Handling vehicle maintenance and break-downs: GPS tracking can help managers monitor vehicle usage and plan for regular maintenance. If a breakdown occurs, the tracking device can provide the information needed to get it taken care of quickly and efficiently.

Most companies that purchase GPS tracking devices for their fleet vehicles do so because of the associated savings. Teaching employees to practice better driving habits and plan their routes more efficiently can save thousands of dollars every year.

Taking the Guesswork Out of Record-Keeping

The BinMaxx XL will allow fleet managers in the refuse industry to keep better records with much less margin for error. When records must be kept manually, there is always the possibility of someone forgetting to write down a number, going back and making guesses rather than remembering exact numbers, and transcribing numbers incorrectly. The GPS tracking device included in the BinMaxx XL will make sure each dumpster lift location gets recorded and that the pertinent information for that lift is accurate. This information can then be easily transferred to an office PC and stored for later reference.

GPS tracking devices have revolutionized the prospect of managing a fleet of vehicles. Rather than guesses and estimates, GPS tracking gives hard data to managers, allowing them to create better company policies and to enforce those policies more effectively. Whether the fleet consists of high-

visibility police cars or less-visible refuse collection vehicles, GPS tracking can help managers save money, enforce policy, train new drivers, and handle break-downs and thefts more efficiently.

GPS Tracking Goes Dumpster Diving

Shrinking GPS Technology Allows for Broader Applications

When it comes to Global Positioning System technology, if you can imagine a use for it then someone is probably already developing it as a product. Advancements continue to impress and progress, giving mankind amazing new capabilities. While most of us are well aware of GPS guided navigation systems, organizations and companies around the world are using GPS technology for tracking, crime prevention, emergency search and rescue, and environmental management, along with numerous other applications.

Thanks to the U.S. military’s ongoing pursuit of technology, many highly sophisticated devices have become familiar to civilians. And we all benefit as they progress with research and development projects.

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Military Shrinking Size of GPS Devices

Applications abound for military use of GPS technology. From tracking supplies and personnel to guiding advanced weaponry toward a target, GPS has infiltrated and advanced military techniques and abilities beyond what could have been accomplished even just a few years ago:

• GPS receivers guide parachute cargo loads to landing destinations


• GPS guides smart munitions toward their targets


• GPS devices help radio users locate each other


• GPS technology enables riflemen to know the distance to their target, increasing firing accuracy.


• GPS navigation keeps unmanned aerial vehicles on course

The military recently began focusing its efforts on reducing the size of GPS technology so as to increase its functionality. By diminishing the size, weight, and power consumption of GPS navigation units, the military will be able to embed them into wearable and handheld computing devices, communications, and navigation devices.

Until now, battery size has kept GPS devices from slimming down. The development of direct digital synthesis allows a device to produce an analog signal digitally, then convert it to analog. Direct digital synthesis devices are small and energy efficient. They are built with fewer components but improve device performance. For now, most direct digital synthesis tools are used in communications systems and in industrial and biomedical applications. As they shrink, however, they can be embedded into a plethora of devices and machinery.

GPS for Everyone

As GPS electronics evolve, their decreasing size and increasing accuracy will allow them to be embedded in all sorts of devices for personal use. What is now military technology will eventually become mainstream and experts predict that it is likely there will be few devices lacking GPS technology.

Trending ideas for the future use of this technology include a lot more potential for personal safety devices to track people and possessions. The prevention of crimes such as theft and abduction is certainly a worthwhile development.

Another application of GPS technology is self-driven vehicles. People who are hindered from driving due to a disability may eventually have access to personal transportation with a self-

driven car. Vehicles carrying munitions or dangerous chemicals can be self-driven, reducing the risk for accident and injury.

Natural disasters and other large-scale events may be measured and managed through GPS tracking. GPS devices with infrared scanners can assess the area of a forest fire and determine its boundaries. This allows responders to assess the danger and spread of the fire and act accordingly.

GPS-enabled site-specific farming gives farmers the tools to create higher crop yields, minimize chemical use, and work in all sorts of weather conditions. By using GPS technology, farmers have greater control over agricultural production and environmental protection.

Environmental applications of GPS technology include mapping and studying environmental change. Researchers are able to access hard-to reach areas and keep track of rare animals. GPS technology allows scientists to track patterns in the weather and earth and potentially predict major events such as floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Perhaps one day all civilians will be able to receive alerts of impending disasters via personal communication devices.

GPS-enhanced technology continues to improve efficiency and safety in aviation. Stronger signals improve ground approach, flight patterns, and poor-visibility flying. More accurate systems improve in-flight and landing safety and overall effectiveness of operations.

Safety and Disaster Relief

• Anticipating earthquakes


• Tracking the spread of fires


• Guiding emergency vehicles


• Sensing and reporting vehicle crashes

Crime Prevention and Response

• Tracking property


• Finding abducted people


• Locating gunshots

Transportation

• Providing information for carpool use


• Preventing accidents


• Providing navigation services


• Tracking freight


• Guiding self-driven vehicles

Agriculture

• Planning farms


• Mapping fields


• Guiding self-driven tractors

Environment

• Tracking and predicting weather


• Tracking endangered animals


• Gathering information


• Studying difficult-access areas

Aviation

• Streamlining air routes


• Increasing safety


• Reducing flight time, workload, and operating costs

These applications are just a tiny sample of the uses for GPS equipment. Daily applications and inventions of this versatile technology continue to serve and advance mankind. What will GPS technology bring in the future? The potential for application of this amazing tool seems limited only by man’s creative abilities.

Shrinking GPS Technology Allows for Broader Applications

Tappan Zee Construction Uses GPS Technology for Added Safety

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A few miles north of Manhattan and its famous bridges (the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, George Washington Bridge, etc.) is another historic and important New York State bridge: the Tappan Zee Bridge. Crossing the Hudson River at a spot called Tappan Zee (one of the river’s widest points), it connects Tarrytown to South Nyack. The original bridge—the longest bridge in New York State—opened in 1955. In the nearly sixty years since then, the population of the area and therefore its traffic congestion have dramatically increased. The bridge’s aging infrastructure, coupled with the fact that it carries far more traffic each day than it was designed to carry have resulted in the need to replace it. That immense project, costing nearly $4 billion, began in 2013.

What does all this have to do with GPS technology? To answer that, let’s look at the project, the problem, and the solution.

The Project

As stated above, the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project will cost nearly $4 billion; it’s scheduled to take five years to complete (2013–18). Also known as “the New New York Bridge” project, the replacement bridge will be designed to last a century before it needs any significant structural upgrades.

The finished bridge will consist of two roadways, one heading east and the other heading west, separated by a wide gap. Each roadway will have multiple lanes to accommodate all kinds of traffic—regular commuter traffic, buses, light rail, bicycles, and pedestrians. One aspect of the project that makes it unique and more difficult is that it’s part of Interstate 87/287, which means that on the west side of the river it has to curve toward the north and on the east side of the river it has to curve toward the south.

The Problem

Not long after the project began, safety for recreational and commercial boaters became a real concern when barges that were part of the construction project broke free from their moorings and floated downriver. One of these events took place in January 2014 when, during a storm, a pair of barges broke free and floated away. One of them traveled nearly 11 miles before it was retrieved. Another such event happened in March 2014 when a local resident saw a barge floating down the river and notified police and a news agency.

Unfortunately, according to The Journal News (White Plains, NY), construction officials acknowledged the problems only after being contacted by the Journal.

To address this serious issue, bridge construction authorities instituted a number of protocols to increase safety.

• Upgraded mooring lines on barges coupled with increased worker education.

• In March 2014 they issued a News Release entitled “Coast Guard Urges Caution Near TZ Bridge,” which stated that the construction area is a “Regulated Navigation Area (RNA), a designated area . . . within which vessel movements are restricted.” The RNA extends 500 yards in each direction north and south of the bridge.

• Also in March 2014 they issued a “Project Update” which included the following information:
  
  • The creation of a “no wake speed zone” within the RNA
  
  
  • The addition of river markers and safety buoys
  
  
  • Increased patrolling of the area by law enforcement officials
  
  
  • The equipping of Tappan Zee Bridge construction boats and barges with GPS technology
  
  

• In May 2014 Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the implementation of the GPS tracking system, stating that the system would not only protect recreational boaters but also construction crews.

• In June 2014 they issued a Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, urging boaters in the area to “proceed with caution.”

The Solution

Part of the solution involves equipping construction vessels with GPS technology. What does that mean, and how does it work to increase other boaters’ safety?

According to a “Boater Safety Information” flyer released in May 2014, there are 16 mooring locations on the river in the bridge’s construction zone—eight north of the bridge and eight south of the bridge. Each barge and all other boats that are part of the project now have GPS so that their exact location can be pinpointed at any time, day or night. Boaters and others interested in knowing their locations can simply go to http://www.newnybridge.com/barge/index.html to see the location of the 100 or so vessels involved in construction. The map there differentiates vessels that are moving from those that are stopped and specifies the Mooring Safety Zone and Regulated Navigation Area as well. Viewers can zoom and pan to gain more specific information.

The map refreshes every minute, and each vessel’s position is updated every five minutes. Thus, if a vessel were to break free and begin floating downstream, the problem would be noticed immediately, and it could be retrieved before it damaged property or caused loss of life.

Tappan Zee Construction Uses GPS Technology for Added Safety

Stolen Cell Phone Leads Cops to Burglar

No one goes to bed at night expecting to find a stranger in the room in the morning. In fact, that’s the stuff nightmares are made of. But that’s exactly what happened to a Seattle woman in Beacon Hill. The intruder was in the process of helping himself to a cell phone and some camera equipment when the woman awoke and confronted him. When she pushed him, he turned and ran, taking the equipment with him. Unbeknownst to the thief, his every move was being monitored by the GPS tracking device in the woman’s cell phone. When police showed up at his doorstep a short time later, they saw the camera equipment on the front porch. They then called the woman’s cell phone number and heard the phone ringing inside the house. That was enough for a warrant, and the suspect was arrested that same morning.

How GPS Tracking Assists Police in Solving Crimes

GPS tracking devices have been instrumental in helping police nab many suspected criminals. In all of the following cases, the technology proved detrimental to the thief’s plans:

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• Bank robbers with bags of stolen cash—More than once, a bank robber has made off with a load of cash after a holdup, only to be apprehended later thanks to the GPS tracking device included in the bag.

• Cell phone thefts—Because cell phones almost universally include a GPS tracking chip, police can often find the phone (and the thief) almost immediately. Phone trackers have proved instrumental in solving simple cell phone thefts as well as thefts of other items like handbags, laptop cases, and even cars.

• Car theft rings—In areas where police suspect a car theft ring of being responsible for multiple thefts, they will sometimes place a “bait vehicle.” The bait vehicle has a GPS tracker installed and police park it in a remote area where it makes a tempting target. If the thieves take the bait, police follow the tracker and in some cases have been able to dismantle the theft ring. Even if it’s a single person responsible, the bait vehicle still makes a useful tool in catching the thief red-handed.

• Warranted Tracking of Suspect Vehicles—Most states now have privacy laws in place that say police cannot track a criminal suspect’s car without a warrant. However, if police can demonstrate cause for a warrant, the trackers can be used to follow a person’s movements in order to determine whether he is engaged in criminal activity. In one recent case, police obtained a warrant to place a tracker on the car of a suspected murderer. The tracker recorded him traveling to a remote location and immediately turning around to head home with no stops. When police retraced his movements, they discovered the body of a woman who had been missing for quite some time.

Restrictions on Cell Phone Tracking

Recently, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled the police could not check data (including GPS tracking data) on the cell phones of people they arrest. Because the information contained in today’s phones tends to be both extensive and personal, police must obtain a warrant before searching a phone. Some lawmakers hope for even more restrictions on cell phone tracking, including a requirement that anyone using location data for marketing or other purposes must first obtain the permission of the phone owner. Such a law would be a game-changer for location-based marketing and for business models like FourSquare, which use a person’s location data to encourage patronage of local businesses.

It’s Tough to Be a Thief

Being a thief isn’t as easy as it used to be. Not only do you have to worry about breaking into the house without being seen and without setting off an alarm, being careful to leave no fingerprints or other identifiers, and meeting armed homeowners, but now you must also worry about the possibility of carrying a tracking device out of the house with you. Tracking devices can be anywhere: in a cell phone, in a laptop, in a jewelry box, tucked into a briefcase or backpack. You could toss one into your trunk and forget that it’s there.

That’s tough if you’re a thief. But if you’re a responsible law-abiding citizen, GPS tracking may just be one of the best ways to protect yourself and your property on the market today. There’s no need to confront the thief or put yourself in danger. Simply provide the tracking information to the police, and they’ll be well on the way to recovering what was stolen.

As a crime-fighting tool, GPS tracking has proven its worth time and time again. Perhaps one day, thieves will wise up and quit leading police straight to their doors. But until then, GPS tracking in cell phones and other devices is standing by to offer assistance.

Stolen Cell Phone Leads Cops to Burglar

Cyber-Poaching: Creating Controversy over GPS Conservation Methods

Environmental groups use various Global Positioning System (GPS) conservation methods to manage wildlife and their habitats. Areas around the world that were previously impenetrable to man are now able to be studied via a wide variety of GPS applications. As technology develops, so, too, do the means to improve conservation efforts.

CC Image courtesy of Dennis Jarvis via Flickr

One valuable aspect of GPS tracking is the efficiency of data collection and evaluation. This enables the tracking of large scale tasks. For example, countries can manage certain regulatory systems through GPS tracking. Border delineation, mining operations, logging management, and weather monitoring are just a few of the tasks made simpler through GPS supervision.

Researchers use GPS to monitor the environment by tracking natural events such as the spread of forest fires, earthquake activity, and wildlife migrations. As animal populations are tracked, conservationists learn many things about the animals, including their habitat, diet, and group size.

GPS Trackers Used for Endangered Wildlife Conservation

One particularly large scale task that is managed through GPS conservation methods is the tracking of endangered species. Specialists put collars on animals they wish to monitor and these collars send out regular signals indicating when the animals move, feed, and sleep. Those observing an animal’s behavior receive data that allows them to provide assistance if the animal becomes ill or trapped in a snare. When a distress signal is received, teams of rangers respond quickly with aid to help the troubled animal.

Because the typical GPS collar costs around $5,000 and lasts approximately eight months, they are used for some of the most valuable or endangered animals: tigers, rhinoceroses, and wild dogs. Some GPS collars include metal plates that can prevent choking if the animal wearing the collar is snared. These collars have saved the lives of many endangered animals.

GPS Devices Hacked by Cyber-Poachers

In some cases, GPS tracking devices have enabled conservationists to prevent or catch poachers trying to kill and harvest parts from endangered animals. Unfortunately, a number of poachers have found ways to get around the capabilities of these devices, even trying to use them to track down endangered animals through online hacking. The act of a poacher trying to hack into GPS location data has been termed “cyber-poaching”. Although no known attempts have succeeded, the fact that the possibility exists for poachers to use the Internet to gain access to information on the location of endangered animals has many people concerned. Even encrypted data may be penetrated, which puts the animals in even greater danger.

Poachers are motivated by the high prices earned through selling endangered animals, whole or in parts. Tigers are especially valuable, with individual parts selling for up to $2,000 and entire animals obtaining $50,000 on the black market. Experts estimate that the trafficking of endangered wildlife brings in between $7.8 to $10 billion per year. With such a high income at their disposal, poachers are a step ahead of the game in terms of technology. And because they can afford good equipment, poachers’ equipment easily rivals that of preserve rangers.

Petitions for the Removal of GPS Collars

The market for poached items continues to grow, and dealers in illegal products use code words on sites to prevent detection. Illegal products made from poached animals, like medicine, jewelry, and decorative pieces, may be sold very quickly through the online black market. As economies rise and countries gain greater access to the Internet, illegal animal sales will continue to increase. The demand for more and more endangered animal products will raise prices and profits for poachers, creating even more motivation for cyber-poaching.

Some conservationists are concerned that the use of GPS collars to track animals will make it easier for poachers to find and kill endangered species. A number of concerned organizations have posted online petitions requesting that GPS collars not be used to track tigers. These people hope that removing the collars will prevent the animals from becoming easy targets for cyber-savvy poachers.

Additional Tracking Measures Address Concerns

Though they recognize the threat posed by the potential for data hacking, rangers continue to believe that the benefits of GPS conservation methods outweigh the risks. Some preserves have seen increases in tiger populations thanks to GPS tracking, and rangers continue to find ways to monitor and protect these highly-prized animals. Some teams of rangers use the GPS collars to stay within 1,600 feet of endangered tigers, while others plan to use surveillance drones and wireless sensors to detect human invasion in restricted areas.

Thanks to the dedication of these preservationists and others like them, endangered species populations are increasing. The threat of ever more aggressive poachers will always exist, but the vigilance of those who want to ensure the protection of these animals continues to bring hope that endangered populations will thrive and continue to grow.

Cyber-Poaching: Creating Controversy over GPS Conservation Methods