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by Barbara Yakimchuk
No More 'Where Are You?': Location-Tracking Apps – Good Or Bad?
22 Jan 2025
Location-tracking applications, once mainly associated with finding misplaced or hidden devices, have taken on a new role in recent years. They are now used to share and track the location of people — whether they are friends, partners, or family members. For many, it is about safety — the reassurance that someone knows where you are and the ability to help if someone close to you goes missing. However, some people see it as a tool for control, something that infringes on their freedom. Why are these applications becoming so popular, and how can we avoid crossing the line when using them?
The origins of location-tracking applications
Though location-tracking apps are a relatively recent development, the ability to track devices' locations has been around for quite some time. It all started with Apple’s Find My app, launched in 2010 to help users locate lost devices. Soon after, phone applications began requesting location data — most commonly for navigation or delivery services, but sometimes even for something as simple as a mobile game, which used this information for internal statistics. For you, it might seem like “not a big deal,” but knowing your location can be incredibly valuable information. By 2021, the location data industry was estimated to be worth a staggering $12 billion.
Of course, there are still those who try to protect their privacy and continue declining app requests to share their location. But let us be honest — most of us accept it, whether out of convenience or necessity.
Psychologists see these big changes in the virtual “location-tracking scene” as one of the driving forces behind the current trend of using location-tracking apps. The reasoning is quite convincing: if you are around 30 (or younger), you have likely spent much of your conscious life trusting apps on your smartphone with personal details. As a result, sharing that information with real people might not feel like such a big step.
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There is no comprehensive data on why people share their location information — whether it is to avoid manually typing addresses every time someone asks "Where are you?" or simply to feel safer. However, existing statistics give us a rough idea of how popular this practice has become. As of 2018 (seven years ago!), 200 million mobile devices were reporting location data to apps. While we do not know exactly which apps those were, Life360, which only focuses on tracking the location of users you add, had 50 million users as of 2024. It is worth noting that Life360 is not the only option for these types of applications — there are plenty of alternatives (for example, I use Blink).
Location-tracking applications: role in families
Initially, location-tracking apps were widely used to monitor the whereabouts of children. A 2024 report shows that almost 50% of United States families with children now use these apps. But what about tracking older family members?
There is no much research on this topic, so I conducted a mini-survey on my Instagram among people aged 25–30, living worldwide. Out of 50 respondents, only 10 use apps to track their location, and in most cases, do it with their family members.
My personal experience with location-tracking apps also revolves around family. One night, my brother woke me up with a call — he could not find our mother, as she had not returned home as expected. Despite our trusting relationship, we realised we didn't have any of her contacts that could help us locate her. Even more, we did not even know the name of the gym she was supposed to go to after work, which seemed like the only potential place she might be.
Thankfully, this case turned out fine in the end, but since then, my brother and I have agreed to share our locations with each other. As we live in different cities, it does not really affect our sense of privacy. However, if anything happens, at least each of us will have some idea of where we are. By the way, some of my friends have also shared that these types of application have helped them find lost relatives once or twice. It seems that, in such cases, they can be quite effective and useful.
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From this story, I would draw two conclusions:
1. First, if you are not quite ready for the intrusion these apps can bring into your life, at least share some key details with those closest to you. The phone number of your best friend, the name of your dance studio, and the location of the café where you like to work after a long day could really help in an emergency.
2. Location-tracking applications can indeed restrict privacy. Even I can check what my brother is up to from time to time. I can only imagine how people with control issues might abuse these apps.
Location-tracking applications in relationships
Location-tracking applications in relationships can serve as both a source of security and, at the same time, a potential excuse for overstepping boundaries. In the survey I mentioned earlier, I asked people whether they would install a location-tracking app if their partner requested it, citing concerns for their safety. The responses were split down the middle. 21 out of 46 people said they would not agree, feeling it would be an invasion of their personal space or simply seeing no need for it. 18 said they would agree for the sake of their partner’s peace of mind, and 6 were happy with the idea and might even initiate it themselves.
This is a two-sided issue. In reality, many people may hide behind the notion of safety, using it as a cover for insecurity or shifting responsibility in the relationship onto these apps. If your partner is against it, pressuring him or her can easily be seen as an invasion of their personal space. Psychologists have long argued that healthy, stable relationships require both individuals to maintain separate lives — with their own hobbies and interests. Knowing you are being tracked can feel suffocating, and that constant "presence" from a partner can quickly become stifling.
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However, it is also important to consider the context. Personally, I would never consider using these apps in my own relationship, but living in Dubai — where the safety level is very high and potential threats are minimal — I just don't feel the need. However, if you live in a place with lower safety or perhaps have a dangerous job, these applications could be a must!
Ultimately, the best thing is that we have a choice — whether to use them or not. And if we decide to use, it should be for a good reason.
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