Police Use Of GPS Tracking Devices Under The Spotlight

Australian police who use GPS tracking devices without obtaining a warrant could be forced the same route as US police, who overnight have been told that they cannot use GPS tracking devices on a person’s vehicle without first obtaining a search warrant.GPS tracking is often used by the police and other federal authorities to gain intelligence on the movement of suspects, so today’s legal ruling could have massive ramifications both in the USA and in Australia.

The ruling clarifies the Fourth Amendment right of Americans which protects them from unreasonable searches or seizures without a warrant and probable cause.

The Amendment references “persons, houses, papers and effects.”