Tracking Apps & Privacy Phones: Addressing the Contradiction

We get this question almost daily:

“Can I use tracking apps like Life360 on my Ghost Phone?”

While the technical answer is yes, there’s a deeper conversation that needs to be had.

The Technical Answer

Yes, location tracking apps will function on your Ghost Phone. Some are as simple as installing and opening, some require Google Play Services to be installed to allow for the app to work.

We cover in detail how to do all of this and why it is required HERE.

However, this brings us to an important crossroads between convenience taking precedence over privacy.

The Privacy Paradox

Installing tracking software on a privacy-focused device is like installing a window in your bank vault. You’ve invested in security, but then created a deliberate opening.

When you use tracking apps:

• Your precise location data is continuously collected
• This data is stored on third-party servers
• The company has access to your movement patterns
• This information could be compromised and is more than likely sold or accessed by others

When I grew up, my mom used to tell me on summer days to, “go outside and don’t come home until lunch time or sun down!”

Looking back, she had no clue where I was and what I was doing. If I got hurt, hungry, needed a change of clothes or forgot something, I’d come home.

For the most part though, I was out playing and exploring either solo or with friends.

Did I get in trouble? Sometimes.

Did I get hurt? Sometimes.

Did I get lost? Sometimes.

…but I learned along the way how to deal with life.

I didn’t have a mobile phone either and had to walk home from school a few miles, or hitch a ride from people I knew, on a number of occasions when my ride simply never came after school or sports practice.

When I would complain to my parents they would respond in kind that I was acting like a spoiled rotten brat, had legs and a brain and clearly was able to figure it out on my own.

“Well, Sean, you must not have any kids or care about your kids if you aren’t concerned about where they are at all times.”

Believe it or not, I hear this from some people. It’s not that I don’t care or don’t worry about my kids. I most definitely do.

My wife and I have painstakingly taken the time, however, to teach our kids common sense, being honest with themselves and their parents, and situational awareness such that we are now wanting and willing to let our kids (who are now young adults) experience life without being a helicopter needing to know and have access to everything they are doing all the time.

Was this always the case? No.

It took some time and training and learning on both ends of the equation, but we have chosen privacy > convenience in an effort to prevent the surveillance state from being a default setting to both our paradigm reality and our kids.

“But the world is more dangerous now!”

Many customers tell me they need these apps because “the world is more dangerous today than when we grew up.” This perception is understandable but not supported by the actual data.

Over the past three decades, the United States has experienced significant changes in violent crime rates. A detailed year-by-year breakdown of reported violent crime rates per 100,000 inhabitants from 1990 through 2023 is below:

Certainly some cities and towns might be different and the data above is aggregate across the whole of the USA, but what HAS definitely increased is our awareness of dangers through 24/7 news cycles and social media.

We hear about every incident across the country in real-time, creating the impression of increased danger.

It’s like how shark attacks seem common because each one makes national news, despite being extremely rare.

The Security vs. Privacy Balance

Hence, the question isn’t whether you should care about your family’s safety or not… because of course you should.

The question is whether continuous GPS tracking is the most effective solution, and whether the privacy trade-off is worth it.

Alternative Approaches

Many families who value both privacy and security have found effective alternatives:

1. Regular check-ins via Signal: Simple messages like “leaving work now” or “arrived at school” provide awareness without continuous tracking.
2. Scheduled check-ins: Establish regular times when family members send their location or status.
3. Emergency-only location sharing: Use temporary location sharing only when needed.
4. Open communication: Build trust through conversation rather than surveillance.
5. Car GPS Tracker: Consider a simple tracker that just stays in your car(s) vs physically on someone at all times.
6. DIY GPS Tracker: For those who know their way around servers and installing / building applications on your own, you can actually build your own private GPS location tracking system. Feel free to reach out to support@mark37.com to learn more… though note, this is for advanced technology users/makers/doers!

The Heart of the Matter

At its core, this is about finding the right balance for your family between:

• Convenience vs. Privacy
• Trust vs. Verification
• Real security vs. Security theater

What many families discover is that constant tracking often provides a false sense of security while simultaneously undermining privacy and trust.

Our Recommendation

If you’ve invested in privacy-focused technology, we encourage you to seriously consider whether location tracking apps align with your privacy goals.

If safety is your concern, explore alternatives that respect both security and privacy.

Remember: Privacy tools work best when used as part of a consistent privacy practice.

We’re always here to discuss specific concerns or situations your family faces—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.