Nervous that there might be someone following you? Here are five ways to spot sneaky GPS trackers in your car.
Use the NewsBreak app? Delete it. Here’s why
My husband, Barry, is a total news junkie. He has all the major news apps on his phone. That’s why this story stopped me in my tracks. NewsBreak, the most downloaded news app in the U.S., with more than 50 million readers per month, has strong ties to Communist China.
A Reuters investigation shows the NewsBreak app is also packed with inaccurate stories (including some that appear to be totally made up by AI), content stolen from legit sources and fake bylines. This is bad, people.
Join the party
NewsBreak is a privately owned company with offices in Mountain View, California, along with Beijing and Shanghai. It bills itself as “all things local” for American readers, but one of its primary backers is Beijing-based IDG Capital.
Never heard of it? Let me catch you up. In February, the Pentagon added IDG Capital to a list of Chinese companies said to be working directly with Beijing’s military.
Def not the write stuff
NewsBreak republishes news from sources like Reuters, Fox, the Associated Press and CNN. They used to republish my content and let me tell you, the traffic from it to my website was huge. NewsBreak stopped sharing my stuff when I started writing negatively about apps with ties to China. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
The rest of NewsBreak’s content is “written” by AI, with facts scraped from press releases and sites around the web. All this happens where half their staff works (about 200 people) — in their China-based offices. Their algorithm isn’t just choosing what stories make it in the app, by the way; it’s also influencing the angles of the coverage.
That’s a huge problem. When the parent company has a political agenda (i.e., China wants to destroy our commerce and influence votes), that trickles down into what you read.
When news is the money machine
Like most apps, NewsBreak makes bank by showing you ads. The more often you use the app, the more ads you’ll see — and the more money they make. That means the whole goal is to publish stories that keep you coming back.
That’s where things get messy. Take a story they published in December: “Christmas Day Tragedy Strikes Bridgeton, New Jersey Amid Rising Gun Violence in Small Towns.” Wow, I bet most of us would click on that. The problem? The shooting never happened.
You won’t believe how schools AND parents are tracking kids
You’ve got a GPS tracker — and you’ve got a tracker — and you! From Apple AirTags to Tiles to Jiobit sensors, GPS trackers are everywhere. I put them in my cars, wallet, laptop bag and car keys — police are even putting them on people’s cars.
Built-in teen trackers: Screen Time for iPhone and Google Family Link for Android let you monitor your teens on social media, set usage limits and block apps you don’t want them using. My advice: Don’t be sneaky about it. They’ll find out you’ve set limits, so you might as well have a convo about it upfront.
Ways to contact SOS with phones and trackers
What if your voice wasn’t an option in an emergency? It’s a scary thought, but there are ways to get help without saying a word.
A penny for your trucks: In Memphis, a tracker led police to the second chop shop in less than a week. The owners of a stolen pickup followed the GPS device to an industrial area. Days later, police came back with a warrant and found five cars. The suspect is in jail. I use an AirTag or get one of these car trackers for $15.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Here are the 5 social media companies tracking you the most
Your privacy is at risk if you have an internet connection. Every app and service tracks you to some degree, with some playing fast and loose with your data. Here are the most invasive apps.
It’s no secret that social media companies track almost everything you do, but which are the worst offenders? Check out the full report below.
Stop! This mistake is loading your device with adware and trackers!
Your computer is sluggish, but you’re not even doing much. Here are five processes you can end right now for a faster, smoother experience. You can thank me later.
Sometimes you must go further to speed up your PC, especially if it’s older. These tricks each take about 60 seconds. Follow those steps, and you’ll clean up some junk, but what about when you install new games, apps, or other software?
Where to find hidden trackers in your car
Feel like you’re being followed? Here’s where to search for AirTags, Tiles, or any other GPS trackers on your vehicle.
Apple and Google team up to fix their stalking problem
Stalkers are using AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers to follow people. When two major tech rivals work together, you know it’s serious.
2 signs you're getting AirTag stalked
Feeling watched? Find out how to catch sneaky AirTag trackers with these tips.
Why even the pros are dumping their fitness trackers
Do you measure the steps you take every day? Here’s why that could be a thing of the past.
Amazon's party drug trade, scam targeting Google users & 5 signs your webcam is hacked
Plus, I share the shocking reason UFO sightings skyrocketing, how to protect your skis with GPS trackers, the top 3 police scanner apps, and my $456.76 money-saving hack. And I help folks with security cams, set up a new site, and recover from a Discord scam. There’s a healthy dose of puns, too!
Cellphone and tech clues that your partner is cheating on you
People underestimate intuition. If your gut tells you something is off, don’t ignore it.
Stalkerware is surprisingly easy to plant on someone’s phone, and trackers follow you online and offline. Tap or click for signs whether you’re being watched or just paranoid.
AirPods led police to find a stolen car with a baby inside
People use technology to find missing objects, alert emergency services or save someone’s life. One example is an Apple Watch that detected a tumor in a 67-year-old woman from Maine.
In another, the iPhone’s emergency SOS function helped a snowboarder contact emergency services after falling into a hidden crevasse at around 10,000 feet above sea level. But probably the most significant boon to Apple’s location-tracking technology is saving a baby’s life.
Apple AirTags: 5 smart pro tips to get the most out of your tracker
Apple AirTags are the modern solution to the age-old problem: Where did I put my keys?
These helpful little trackers can help you find just about anything. Attach one to your keyring, backpack, or iPad case and you’ll never lose them again.
A murder suspect says she used an Apple AirTag to track her cheating boyfriend
GPS trackers are great for keeping track of your keys, laptop, remote control, and anything you don’t want to lose.
Trackers can also help you find luggage when you’re traveling. It may be a good idea to throw one in your carry-on. Tap or click here for more smart tech tips that’ll ease your mind when you’re on the go.
AirTag used to kill boyfriend
Do you use Bluetooth trackers to find your lost keys? That’s how they’re meant to be used. Others use them for stalking. Here’s how one led to a murder, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Want to erase yourself from the internet? Here’s how
Ever get that eerie feeling somebody’s watching you? I hate to break the bad news, but you have a ton of secret admirers. Tech companies, advertisers, snoops and enterprising hackers are all trying to get their hands on as much of your info as possible.
These free antivirus and cleaning apps are putting your phone at risk - Delete them now
You’re never 100% safe from cyberattacks, no matter how careful you are. From malware to viruses to breaches, the best you can do is take precautions to lower your risk.
You may think it’s easy to detect a hacker on your phone. It’s not. The longer a hack goes undetected, the more damage it can do. Tap or click here to learn about signs that your phone is under attack.