Can we track a mobile phone with its IMEI?

[urlovecalc69]

Can we make a website that allows the users to track their mobile phone using its IMEI number?
Is it possible without contacting the service providers?

 

[lemon-tree]

Nope, not possible. That would be one catastrophic security risk if you could, would you really want anyone knowing where you are at any time of the day?

 

[bhupendra2895]

Well I don't think so.My father's mobile lost last month.Service provider didn't track it, although it gave him a duplicate SIM card and old SIM was deactivated.So conclusion is if service providers don't do this or don't wanted to do this.Then how we can?Best way is to use mobile tracker software on mobile phone which sends sms to owner's other number if SIM is changed.Although resourceful thief can format the mobile phone before inserting any SIM in slot.

 

[Smith6612]

Thorugh IMEI? The closest thing I know of is through cell phone triangulation and which tower coverage vs signal strength. A good example of this is on Verizon phones, where the "Locator" service can be used to find you when you dial 911 or if you so choose, with any call. This is done through determining what towers are nearby, and which direction from the tower you are calling from, along with your signal strength to the tower. But for the most part, any tracking can really only be gotten through 911 lines or your service provider if such information is requested.

 

[krofunk]

a similar service is already offered by google (limited hardware) http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/latitude/intro.html

 

[lemon-tree]

That is a voluntary service that you have to opt into and have software on the phone that sends the info every so often. Also, your location is only shared with people you verify, so not just anyone.

 

[galaxyAbstractor]

There was one Swedish service which let anyone see where any Swedish mobile phone was located due to a security bug.

There was a verification sms sent out with a code that needed to be typed into the website if you allowed it to track you. The code was a 4-digit code 0000 - 9999 which made it very easy to guess, and you could track any phone within minutes. The "bug" should have been fixed by now.

So it is possible to track phones through websites, but I don't know whether or not and how it would break any law

 

[crookincrew28]

Can we make a website that allows the users to track their mobile phone using its IMEI number?
Is it possible without contacting the service providers?

Yes it is possible but with certain complications like:

1. You'll need to FIR(First investigation Report) against the ISSUE and approach the Mobile Company or the Mobile Operator.

2. IF they dont help you, Bribe them

 

[bhupendra2895]

1. You'll need to FIR(First investigation Report) against the ISSUE and approach the Mobile Company or the Mobile Operator.

Yes this is correct way, because it is legal and don't attacks on anybody's privacy, but it takes too much time to track a mobile device using its IMEI number, specially if in your country there are multiple operators, then police have to contact with each operator and ask them to track this.
Using a website you can do this using GPS and only if that user is sending his location signals to your site.

 

[cncaihua]

I think you can do this only with the help of the service provider,or ,FBI.
because client information is veay valuable for a company.

 

[cybrax]

Several providers offer the service, the person to be tracked is sent a text that they reply to or not to OK the tracking. Then the tracker is billed everytime they query the cell phones location. Not quite your real time CSI, CIA, NCIS, MI5 stuff but good enough for most purposes.

Set up with an old cell phone and stick it to the vehicle to be tracked

 

[callumacrae]

You can't do it easily without the IMEI, only people like the FBI can do that.

GPS on the other hand, you can do that.

~Callum

 

[lemon-tree]

The problem is, all services that track via GPS require some form of pre-setup that the average user won't do and will only realise they need it when the phone is already lost.

 

[callumacrae]

The problem is, all services that track via GPS require some form of pre-setup that the average user won't do and will only realise they need it when the phone is already lost.

Findmyiphone FTW!

~Callum

 

[kroner]

No we can't and its effect is in no way catastrophic even if it was possible.
Our privacy is flouted every now and then. And certainly ability to track doesn't necessarily mean tracking can be done by anyone.