The short answer
A GPS tracker collects its position and the time, and from those a service can work out speed, direction, routes, stops and how long you stayed. Some trackers add battery level and device details; vehicle telematics can add engine data. Over time, location history can reveal a great deal about a person — which is exactly why it should be collected openly and kept only as long as needed.
Not legal advice. This guide explains UK law in general terms, as at the date shown. The ICO’s guidance on monitoring workers was under review following the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 when this was written — check the ICO for the current position, and take advice for your own circumstances.
What GPS trackers collect directly
- Latitude and longitude — the position itself.
- Time of each position.
- Accuracy — how confident the receiver is (for example “within 5 metres”).
- Speed and heading, measured by the receiver or calculated between positions.
What can be worked out from it
- Routes driven or walked, and distances.
- Stops and how long they lasted.
- Arrivals and departures at defined places (geofences).
- Patterns — where someone usually starts and finishes, regular visits.
That last point is why location data is sensitive. Even without names attached, a pattern of where someone sleeps and works can identify them. Under UK GDPR, location data about an identifiable person is personal data.
What trackers don’t collect
A GPS tracker doesn’t record conversations, messages or photos. A phone tracking app only gets what the phone’s permissions allow; a legitimate business tracking app asks for location permission and shows that it is running.
Privacy-first GPS tracking solutions
If you are choosing a tracking service, look for these privacy-first traits:
- Visible, not covert — the tracked person can see when tracking is on.
- Under the tracked person’s control — tracking stops outside working time.
- Automatic deletion after a set period.
- Limited access — only the people who need it can see it.
- No advertising or data resale.
What TrackLink collects
For each position: latitude, longitude, accuracy, speed, heading, the phone’s battery level and the time. Route history is deleted automatically after 30 days as standard. There is no advertising or analytics SDK in the app, tracking runs only when the phone’s holder switches it on, and each organisation’s data is isolated from every other’s. See the privacy policy for the full detail.
Common questions
Is GPS location data personal data?
Yes, when it relates to an identifiable person — and a work phone or a driver's vehicle almost always does. UK GDPR then applies.
How long should a business keep GPS tracking data?
Only as long as needed for the purpose. Many businesses keep route history for 30 to 90 days; TrackLink deletes it after 30 days as standard.