GPS Tracking Laws around the World

You pack your bag the night before and drop a GPS tracker inside without a second thought. You use it at home all the time. It helps you keep an eye on your car or your luggage, and you don’t give it a second thought. When you arrive at the airport, security pulls your bag aside. They ask about the device, and you explain what it does. What felt normal at home now feels like a problem (depending on the country). You didn’t mean to break the rules, but you didn’t even know ones existed. You are not alone, as this catches travellers out every year. Laws change once you cross a border, and tracking devices do not sit under the same rules everywhere.

GPS tracking laws differ around the world

GPS tracking rules change because countries care about different things. Some prioritise privacy, wanting to protect people from being tracked without consent. Others worry more about radio signals, satellite use, or national security. That changes how each country writes its laws.

This part often surprises people. The term GPS tracker encompasses many device types. A car tracker does not raise the same concerns as a device that sends data through satellites. In our experience, this confusion causes most of the trouble. And this point matters more than anything else:

Network coverage does not mean legal permission.

You need both.

Countries with strict bans or heavy restrictions

Some countries treat tracking devices as sensitive equipment. This often applies to satellite-enabled devices, not basic GPS trackers that rely only on mobile networks. Rules change, and old advice can put you at risk.

Below are different examples around countries with the heaviest restrictions.

India

India enforces strict rules around wireless and satellite equipment. Airport staff actively check luggage, and travellers have faced questioning for carrying satellite-enabled trackers. Authorities expect proper licensing, and if you bring the wrong device without approval, officials can stop you at the airport before you even leave the terminal.

Cuba

Cuba controls many communication devices. Officials may require permits for GPS or satellite equipment. If you arrive without permission, staff can seize the device at customs, with travellers often losing the tracker and never getting it back.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has firm limits on satellite communication devices. Authorities treat unapproved equipment as illegal imports. In serious cases, people have been arrested or fined. Travellers make mistakes here because they do not realise their tracker sends data through satellites.

Libya

Libya has a history of strict action against satellite communications. Past cases show that authorities linked unapproved devices to security concerns. Even if you carry a tracker for personal safety, officials may view it very differently.

We see the same pattern each time. People assume intent matters. In practice, the law looks at the device first, so make sure you always check government travel advice before you pack

Legal use vs illegal tracking

Owning a GPS tracker does not automatically make every use legal. In many countries, the law focuses less on the device and more on how it is used. We hear about this tripping people up all the time.

In Europe, mainly, privacy and data protection laws apply. If you misuse a tracker, authorities can treat it as harassment or unlawful surveillance.

Legal use usually includes

Tracking your own vehicle, luggage, or personal property
Using a tracker on assets you fully own and control

Risky or illegal use often includes

Tracking a car, bag, or phone linked to another person without consent
Using trackers in workplaces without notice or agreement
Monitoring family members in ways that cross privacy rules

Flying with a GPS tracker

Flying adds another layer of risk that many people overlook. Airlines set their own rules, and they often focus on lithium batteries rather than the tracking function itself. Some carriers allow trackers only in carry-on bags, and others restrict specific devices or battery sizes altogether. Checked luggage can raise more questions, especially if security staff cannot access the device.

We have seen travellers clear airport security without issue, only to face problems at the gate because the airline applies stricter rules. The confusion here is that airport security rules do not always align with country laws.

Before you fly, check directly with your airline. Ask about battery limits, packing rules, and device restrictions. A quick check can save you from a missed flight or getting in trouble with the law.