NSW to criminalise secret GPS tracking after report highlighting number of devices bought by DV offenders
The NSW government is introducing new laws to criminalise secret GPS tracking following a 2024 report linking such devices to domestic violence and organised crime. Premier Chris Minns stated that technology has been weaponised against women and current laws are insufficient. The legislation aims to close legal gaps while exempting legitimate tracking activities like parental monitoring.
- ▪A 2024 NSW Crime Commission report found that one in four people buying tracking devices in NSW had a history of domestic violence.
- ▪Between 2010 and 2023, 82% of those charged with unlawfully using a tracking device in NSW were involved in domestic violence offences.
- ▪The new laws will also criminalise directing third parties to stalk someone and advertising devices in ways that encourage illegal use.
- ▪In one case, a man used a GPS tracker to monitor his wife before killing her, highlighting the dangers of undetected surveillance.
- ▪The legislation complements existing reforms, including the criminalisation of coercive control and changes to bail laws for domestic violence offenders.
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A 2024 report by the NSW Crime Commission identified that tracking and surveillance devices were increasingly being used to enable domestic violence and organised crime. Photograph: Karl Tapales/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenA 2024 report by the NSW Crime Commission identified that tracking and surveillance devices were increasingly being used to enable domestic violence and organised crime. Photograph: Karl Tapales/Getty ImagesNew South WalesNSW to criminalise secret GPS tracking after report highlighting number of devices bought by DV offendersChris Minns says technology has been ‘weaponised against women, and our laws have not kept pace’ Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Penry BuckleyMon 4 May 2026 10.01 EDTLast modified on Mon 4 May 2026 10.02…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at World news | The Guardian.
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