Tenerife Man Under Investigation for Using GPS Tracker to Stalk Ex-Partner
A man in Tenerife is under investigation for stalking after his ex-partner discovered a GPS tracker hidden in her car, highlighting the growing misuse of consumer technology in domestic abuse cases.
The rise of consumer technology has created a new challenge for victim safety, as digital tools are increasingly being used for harassment and control. A recent case in Tenerife highlights this trend, with a man currently under investigation for using a GPS tracker to monitor his ex-partner.
The woman discovered the device thanks to security alerts built into her smartphone, which notified her that an unknown tracker was nearby. After searching her car, she found the device hidden inside the license plate holder.
She reported the incident to the police in Güímar, and the case was handed over to the local Gender Violence Team (Viogen). Investigators successfully linked the device to the woman’s former partner. The case has now been moved to a specialized gender violence court in Tenerife, which has issued a restraining order against the man for stalking.
This incident underscores the growing concern among authorities regarding the misuse of geolocation technology. These devices allow abusers to track a victim’s daily routine silently and constantly, making it much harder to ensure their safety. Under the Spanish Penal Code, stalking is a criminal offense, and the use of technology to violate someone’s privacy and freedom is considered an aggravating factor.