This is a carrier in the USA (T-Mobile).

I did a quick search for the other 2 carriers using the term “[Carrier Name] Family Tracking” and Verizon and AT&T also seems to have it.

And according to https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/t-mobile-familywhere-app, it says:

FamilyWhere uses geolocation data from the T-Mobile network and is not affected by changes to device location settings.

So it appears that its using cell tower triangulation. Turning on Airplane Mode should stop it (assuming there isn’t a separate tracking app on your phone)

Oh Wow, What a wonderful tool for abusive spouses and abusive parents. And telecom companies are making money off of it. 🙃

TLDR: Its a good idea to get your own separate cellular plan.

  • u/lukmly013 💾 (lemmy.sdf.org)@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    10·
    2 days ago

    Czech T-Mobile also has this. It’s pretty cool they let you track the devices using their towers. Just the cost is different. There’s no location history, and it only does a location query on demand. Each query costs CZK 4.84 ($0.22).
    Also, it needs “LPIN” which has to be set for the SIM card.

    Well anyway, just looked up the FamilyWhere and this is the first result (excluding advertising):
    https://www.t-mobile.com/community/discussions/accounts-services/familywhere-is-ruining-my-life/95189

    so im a 34 year old woman who has a spouse that constantly uses the FamilyWhere app to track my location. That alone is extremely annoying. But what’s worse is that it’s oftern not accurate and tells him I’m at places that I am not. I’m not a child that needs to be tracked. does anyone know of an outside app that can completely block my gps signa? Turning off my location services on my iPhone doesn’t work. Please I’m so sick of fighting over the results it gives him. I called tomobile to ask them for help all the rep said was that he could disable my short codes, which would block the app. But since my spouse is the account holder all he had to do was call T-Mobile and reverse what I did. This is hell!!! Please someone any help is appreciated.

    • throwawayacc0430@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      121·
      2 days ago

      I mean, I hope that person isn’t in the situation anymore, but the only solution is turn on airplane mode and rely on public wifi networks for your communications.

      Or use a prepaid phone with a separate plan.

      (But seriously, maybe start thinking about divorce)

      Also, please never take advice from telecom forums. Look at this comment I found in that thread:

      way to give a lesson in how to be shady. Why do you all care if your HUSBAND knows where you are? He’s your HUSBAND he should be the only one who knows where you are at all times! And Vice versa.

      Bruh 🤦‍♂️

      • u/lukmly013 💾 (lemmy.sdf.org)@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        5·
        2 days ago

        Oh, the other replies didn’t load for me at first. There’s also this:

        Well, I’m sorry you guys are fighting about this. However, it has been my experience that if you don’t want him tracking you it’s because you’re going or doing something that makes him uncomfortable or there has been shadiness in the past. My question is why do you care if he knows where you are? If you’re not hiding anything or going against the boundaries set forth in your relationship what does it matter if he knows where you are? Yes i believe that by turning on your location and giving full access you will help with the location that it will show. It is not about being treated like a child but maybe more so of a safety or security reason. I promise you if you give into it and simply answer his questions without attitude and get him to understand that it’s not always accurate things will be better. When you’re in the car together have it on so he can see how accurate it is and maybe that’ll get him to realise how the system works. I promise you if you give into it for a little while he’ll not want to check it as much and will get bored and trust more. The arguing about it makes it look sketchy and there won’t be trust, which sounds like what you guys need. I am speaking from experience.

        • Lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          2·
          12 hours ago

          If you’re not hiding anything or going against the boundaries set forth in your relationship what does it matter if he knows where you are?

          Ugh, that one bugs me so much. The boundaries are that the wife doesn’t want to be tracked. By using this service at all, the husband is violating that boundary. That, and the “you have nothing to hide” mentality. Such a flawed mentality.

          My wife and I use Life360 (yes I’m aware of what they do with data, currently trying to find an alternative), because I ride motorcycles and want my wife to know that I got to my destination safely, and she just likes sharing her location with me. Our kids have Pinwheel-managed smartphones, and even they know that I can see where they are at all times; it was a stipulation of them having smartphones in the first place.

          It’s amazing what consent brings to the table.