Digital Stalking, AirTags, and Tracking Devices: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe
Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected, find lost items, and share our locations with people we trust. But those same tools can be misused to monitor, control, and silently follow someone without their consent. This kind of behavior is often called digital stalking or technology-facilitated abuse, and it can be deeply frightening and disorienting.
Young adults are especially vulnerable: relationships often move quickly, travel and social plans are fluid, and location-sharing apps and smart devices are part of everyday life. Knowing how digital stalking works, and what warning signs to watch for, can help you protect yourself and support others.
For a broader overview of online safety habits, you can also read our Digital Safety guide.
What Is Digital Stalking?
Digital stalking happens when someone uses technology to monitor where you are, what you’re doing, or who you’re talking to—without your full, freely given consent. It can include:
Tracking your location through apps, shared accounts, or devices
Monitoring your social media activity
Checking your texts, emails, or DMs without permission
Using hidden tracking devices or “finder” tags
Logging into your accounts from another device
Digital stalking is not about caring “too much.” It’s about control. It often appears alongside other forms of emotional, verbal, or physical abuse.
How Tracking Devices and Apps Can Be Misused
Tools that were designed to help find lost items, coordinate plans, and allow parents to know minors’ whereabouts can be turned into weapons when they’re used without consent. Some examples include:
Location-sharing apps: “Find My” features, family locator apps, or map-sharing that one person insists must always be on.
Bluetooth trackers and tags: Small devices meant for keys or luggage that are secretly placed in bags, cars, or personal belongings.
Shared accounts and logins: A partner logging into your account to see where you’ve been, who you follow, or what you post.
Car or device systems: Built-in GPS in vehicles or connected devices that someone else has set up or still has access to.
None of these tools are abusive on their own. What matters is consent, control, and context. If you feel pressured, watched, or unsafe, your feelings are important—even if the technology seems “normal.”
Warning Signs You Might Be Tracked or Digitally Stalked
Every situation is unique, but these are common signs that technology may be used to monitor you:
They seem to always “just happen” to know where you are—even when you haven’t told them.
They reference locations you’ve been that you never shared with them.
They become angry or anxious when you turn off location sharing, put your phone on airplane mode, or go somewhere unexpectedly.
They insist that sharing passwords and locations is “what couples do if they really trust each other.”
You receive repeated alerts that an unknown device is traveling with you, or that your location is being shared from a device you don’t recognize.
They know details about your day that don’t make sense based on what you’ve told them.
You feel like you’re being “checked on” constantly, online and offline.
Digital stalking often comes alongside other red flags: isolation from friends or family, controlling behavior, jealousy, or pressure to respond immediately to calls or messages.
What to Do If You Suspect You’re Being Digitally Tracked
If you think someone might be tracking your movements or monitoring your devices, it’s important to prioritize safety over quick fixes. In some cases, suddenly turning everything off can escalate the situation.
Consider these steps:
1. Trust your instincts
If something feels wrong, pay attention. You don’t have to “prove” you’re being tracked before taking your safety seriously.
2. Talk to someone you trust
Share your concerns with a trusted friend, family member, or mentor. Sometimes just saying it out loud can help you think more clearly and make a plan.
3. Contact a domestic violence advocate or hotline
Advocates understand how technology is used in abusive relationships and can help you:
Think through safety steps
Decide whether to look for devices now or later
Plan what to do if the person monitoring you becomes angry
They can also help you document patterns if you choose to involve law enforcement. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788.
4. Be careful about using shared devices for research
If you suspect someone has access to your phone, tablet, or laptop, use a different device—like a friend’s phone or a public computer—to:
Look up resources
Change passwords
Contact support services
This reduces the risk that your actions are being watched in real time.
5. Consider a gradual tech-safety plan
In some situations, especially where there is a risk of violence, advocates may recommend:
Leaving certain apps or settings unchanged temporarily
Creating new, secure accounts
Using devices that the abusive person has never had access to
Slowly shifting communication and routines to safer channels
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. A personalized safety plan is best.
How Friends and Family Can Help
If you’re worried someone you care about is being digitally stalked:
Listen without judgment. Avoid minimizing their fears or questioning their perceptions.
Believe them. Saying “That sounds scary—and I believe you” can be incredibly validating.
Offer practical support. Help them connect with a domestic violence organization, legal advocate, or tech-safety resource.
Avoid confronting the person suspected of tracking them. This can put your friend and you at greater risk.
Respect their pace. It may take time for them to feel ready to make changes or leave a relationship.
You can quietly share resources like the Foundation’s Domestic Violence Resources page and our educational content on Digital Safety, letting them know support is available whenever they’re ready.
When to Seek Help from Law Enforcement
If you believe you are in immediate danger, or if someone is using technology to threaten, stalk, or harm you:
Contact local law enforcement and explain the situation.
Share any screenshots, device alerts, or patterns you have noticed.
Ask what steps you can take and what protections might be available in your area.
Policies and procedures can differ between agencies, but your safety concerns are real and deserve to be heard.
You Deserve Safety, Online and Offline
Digital stalking is not “overreacting,” “drama,” or “just how relationships are now.” It is a serious form of control that can escalate and deeply impact someone’s sense of freedom and safety.
You deserve relationships where your privacy is respected, your boundaries matter, and your devices are truly your own.
If you’re feeling uneasy about someone’s digital behavior, or you’re worried about a friend, you’re not alone. The Gabby Petito Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence, digital abuse, and relationship safety—so that more people can recognize the signs early and find a path to safety and support.
For more tools and information, visit our Domestic Violence Resources page. Your safety matters. Your instincts matter. And help is always worth reaching for.
