Can we track a mobile phone with its IMEI?

[cybrax]

Several providers offer the service, the person to be tracked is sent a text that they reply to or not to OK the tracking. Then the tracker is billed everytime they query the cell phones location. Not quite your real time CSI, CIA, NCIS, MI5 stuff but good enough for most purposes.

Set up with an old cell phone and stick it to the vehicle to be tracked

[callumacrae]

You can't do it easily without the IMEI, only people like the FBI can do that.

GPS on the other hand, you can do that.

~Callum

[lemon-tree]

The problem is, all services that track via GPS require some form of pre-setup that the average user won't do and will only realise they need it when the phone is already lost.

[callumacrae]

The problem is, all services that track via GPS require some form of pre-setup that the average user won't do and will only realise they need it when the phone is already lost.

Findmyiphone FTW!

~Callum

[kroner]

No we can't and its effect is in no way catastrophic even if it was possible.
Our privacy is flouted every now and then. And certainly ability to track doesn't necessarily mean tracking can be done by anyone.