Question about Location Services

[mac_in_tosh]

I'm curious about Location Services. If it's turned off can an approximate location still be determined? Specifically, if you send a text or someone sends you a text can your approximate location be determined e.g. thru trace of IP address or something like that?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Your phone is constantly pinging cell towers when it's on. It can be determined which tower was connected when a message was sent.

It's not publicly-accessible information but law enforcement has been obtaining this information for years when they are legally able.

 

[mac_in_tosh]

Your phone is constantly pinging cell towers when it's on. It can be determined which tower was connected when a message was sent.

Can the sender of a text message determine which tower was used by the recipient?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Can the sender of a text message determine which tower was used by the recipient?

No.

 

[now i see it]

Just having the phone on and locked and not using it still sends pings to cell towers unless Airplane mode is on - which can triangulate your position.
Bottom line: If a person is paranoid that the boogeyman is gunna get them, they shouldn’t own a cell phone.

 

[bj097]

Just having the phone on and locked and not using it still sends pings to cell towers unless Airplane mode is on - which can triangulate your position.
Bottom line: If a person is paranoid that the boogeyman is gunna get them, they shouldn’t own a cell phone.

The thread starter is asking technical questions. There isn't always 1 or 0 in life, there is always compromise and trade-off, we have the right to know how things work, if you are unhappy to see people concerned about their privacy, just go away, you don't need to say what boogeyman or who shouldn't own a phone

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Can the sender of a text message determine which tower was used by the recipient?

Your phone is traceable at all times even when it's powered down, if the right software and know how is used. Fortunately the right software and know how isn't available to the general population and only government entities would have it not the average joe

 

[bj097]

Your phone is traceable at all times even when it's powered down, if the right software and know how is used. Fortunately the right software and know how isn't available to the general population and only government entities would have it not the average joe

I think the thread starter and most of us who are concerned about location services wish to know what a random unimportant individual could do the best
of him to find out our location, rather than the government or officer's level