Is it Legal to Use a GPS Tracker? |
Posted: September 23, 2019 |
GPS Trackers are incredible inventions that make our everyday lives extremely easy. Car tracking devices in Canada enable us to do a lot; From getting us to work on time by navigating the busy streets of Quebec to helping us keep track of our children, GPS trackers do it all. However, there is one shady question surrounding these wondrous devices, “Are they Legal?”. The first thing we should tell you is that this is a perfectly valid question. GPS Tracking Devices are only as good as the person using them, which means that the tech could be used for some pretty malicious purposes. So, let’s talk about the scenarios where it is legal or illegal to track a car with a GPS vehicle tracker in Canada. Scenario 1: You Own the Car If you’re the official owner of the car, then laws around the world do indeed allow you to track the car regardless of who sits behind the driving seat. However, there’s only one small exception. If the person sitting in the driver’s seat an adult, it is best to inform them that you’re monitoring the car’s location to be on the safe side. Refer to a legal professional who’ll be able to provide info based on the local laws of your province or country. Scenario 2: You are Tracking Your Child Tracking laws fully allow you to monitor the location of a minor. There’s no rule or law that can stop you from doing so. However, the only precaution you should take is that the minor should be your own child. Tracking someone else’s kid will get you in trouble–serious trouble. Scenario 3: The Person Driving the Car is an Employee There are two scenarios: 1) your employee has a company-issued car that they only for business purposes and 2) your employee has a company-issued car that they use for personal use as well. If you find yourself in the former category, you’re fully allowed to track the car. However, in the second scenario, you could be held liable for invasion of privacy. You own the car but you’ve given your company vehicle to that individual for unrestricted usage. In these cases, you’re not allowed to track the car, even if your name is on the registration papers. Scenario 4: You Are a Private Investigator This is a pretty difficult question since different provinces have varying laws regarding this topic. So, instead of taking our word for it, talk to a legal professional to see what your region allows and what it doesn’t. Scenario 5: You Are a Law Enforcement Agents The general rule for law enforcement agents to track a vehicle is to get a court-issued warrant and simply installing the device in place. However, a warrant isn't needed in many provinces. The police can get information about a car using various methods, including physical surveillance, so GPS is just a commodity that makes their life easier. Hence, some provinces allow police officers to install trackers without prior court consent.
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