Henrietta Ronson is quoted on the legality of parents tracking their kids at university using location-sharing and tracking apps

Partner Henrietta Ronson is quoted in HuffPost UK about the legality of parents tracking their kids at university using location-sharing and tracking apps.

While tracking apps seem the “perfect antidote” for worried parents, Henrietta says that the use of tracking apps without informed consent could land parents in serious trouble. Parental responsibility ends when a child turns 18 and parents lose legal authority over their children unless specific arrangements are made.

According to Henrietta, installing or using tracking apps without permission could be classed as an offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, which is punishable by up to 2 years in prison.

Consistent use without consent or causing alarm or distress could also constitute stalking or harassment, she says. Unlawful tracking could also breach data protection laws.

Without consent, the use of tracking apps is a “parental overstep” with potential criminal consequences for parents, Henrietta concludes.

You can read Henrietta’s comments in HuffPost UK.