While popular and inexpensive electronic tracking devices help people easily keep tabs on their belongings like keys and backpacks, abusers are also using them to secretly track their victims.
In fact, 50 percent of victim service providers report that offenders use cellphone apps and tracking devices to stalk victims, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. In 2021, an Indianapolis woman was attacked and nearly killed by her ex-boyfriend, who violated a protective order and followed her using a GPS tracking device on her car.
To protect victims and ensure offenders are held accountable, I sponsored legislation that would make it a crime to secretly stalk someone using one of these devices.
If signed into law, a person who uses a tracking device, such as an Apple Air Tag, on an individual or the individual’s property without their knowledge could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. However, that charge would be enhanced to a Level 6 felony if that person is under a protective order. It would also increase the penalty for stalking to a Level 5 felony if a tracking device was used.
Indiana’s law needs to catch up as technology advances rapidly and can be easily misused by those looking to do harm. As chair of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, I’ll continue looking for ways to hold criminals accountable and protect innocent Hoosiers.
