Mobile phone tracking - US v UK

Using triangulation it is now possible to establish the location of a mobile phone to within a few metres. This is possible as long as the phone is turned on, the owner does not have to be making a call.

In the USA judges have rejected two separate Department of Justice requests to track someone’s mobile phone without probable cause.

In the UK the location of everybody’s mobile phone is continuously recorded by the telephone companies, and the data retained for one year. This is done at the request of the UK Government. If you carry a mobile phone the government knows everywhere you have been for the past twelve months.

The UK Home Office is now trying to persuade the EU to adopt a similar policy for all countries in the European Union.