Safety or surveillance? The expansion of tracking devices in family life

In this article, Imogen Watkins, Josephine Moreton and Ciara Coleman, barristers at specialist family law set 4PB, discuss the complex questions raised by the growth of digital tracking devices for family lawyers, following Skechers’ recent release of children’s shoes with location-tracking devices. They discuss the implications of a recent court case - where two parents hid such devices in their children's bag and toys in an attempt to spy on them as they were being taken into foster care – on the wider debate surrounding digital overreach and child welfare. Moreover, they explore what other potential risks are involved surrounding the use of these devices in domestic abuse cases, and discuss a case raised by the charity, Refuge, where one partner used a device to monitor their other partner’s messages and calls. They also examine what insight existing legal frameworks can provide for practitioners on these issues.

The full article has published in the December issue of Family Law.  Find out more or request a free 1-week trial of Family Law journal. Please quote: 100482

Read the full article here.