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South Korea Stalker App Tracks Suspects in Real-Time
15 Sep
Summary
- App alerts victims to stalkers within a two km radius.
- Uses data from court-ordered electronic ankle monitors.
- Police notified if stalker nears restricted locations.
A new government-launched mobile application in South Korea is enhancing protection for stalking victims by providing real-time location data of alleged stalkers. Launched in June of this year, the app currently has 400 users. It leverages data from court-mandated electronic ankle monitors to alert victims when a monitored individual enters a two-kilometer radius.
The application displays the stalker's position and route on a smartphone map, offering a significant improvement over previous text-based alerts. Furthermore, authorities are notified if a stalker comes within one kilometer of a location under provisional restriction. This technological advancement aims to address the rise in stalking cases, which have tripled since the introduction of stalking laws in 2021.
Despite the app's potential, its widespread effectiveness hinges on the court's willingness to mandate electronic tags for suspects, a practice that has been relatively infrequent in South Korean stalking cases. Approximately 80% of stalking victims in the country are women, highlighting the critical need for robust protective measures like this new application.
