Geofencing Liability refers to the security and privacy risks created by the widespread use of location-aware technology and automated systems in UHNW life. This includes smart home systems, luxury vehicle tracking, and even children’s location-sharing apps, all of which create a precise, real-time map of the principal’s global movements.
Geofencing can be done in multiple ways, and to certain extremes, but there is a certain standard level of geofencing you should be doing even if your not a UHNW. It’s hard to talk about geofencing without talking about digital privacy in general. The goal of this topic is to protect you, your family, and your business, but also not limit the amount of information available publicly.
The Crisis:
This constant, precise location data is a massive liability. It can be compromised in two ways:
- Cyber-Physical Attack: An attacker compromises a system (e.g., a smart home app) to disable security systems when the principal is away, or worse, to enable them when the principal is home.
- Kidnapping/Extortion: The data is used for pattern-of-life analysis by criminal elements, allowing them to predict travel, identify unescorted family members, and plan a physical security event (a crisis).
The Unmitigated Risk
| Risk Category | Description | Why It’s a Crisis |
| Geofencing Liability | Modern luxury vehicles are mobile data centers that constantly transmit precise location data, often stored by the manufacturer or third-party services. | This data is a goldmine for criminal elements performing pattern-of-life analysis for kidnapping or extortion. |
| In-Car Network Vulnerability | The vehicle’s Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, and infotainment system are often connected to the principal’s personal devices and, sometimes, the Family Office network. | A compromised in-car network can serve as a bridge to the principal’s most sensitive data, similar to the Multi-Residence Single Point of Failure. |
| Data Privacy | The vehicle stores massive amounts of personal data (contacts, call logs, home addresses, garage codes) that are easily accessible if the vehicle is stolen or sold. | This is a direct privacy breach that can lead to identity theft and physical security risks. |
Digital Fixer Role:
Our role is to audit all location-aware systems, consolidate them under a single, secure protocol, and implement “Digital Blackout Zones” or secure protocols that mask the principal’s location from all but the most critical security personnel. This is a core component of Personal Security Risk Mitigation.
Prevention:
In some cases we will workaround built-in location aware systems like your vehicle GPS and place alternative equipment to replace it. This way you can full control of your destiny and your data. This is important because we are seeing manufacturers starting to get telemetrics about your vehicle (how you drive, where you are, status of your vehicle etc.) and in some U.S. states this information is used against you. In every country their extent is different. This telemetrics data is being shared with insurance companies, and for many people, their policies go up because of this unselecited data being shared. In some cases you cannot opt-out of this data being shared.
At the end of this article we’ll give you some examples of where you can control your location status on your vehicle, but also address items like smart home devices, mobiles, and computers.
Vehicle Location:
We will physically install a 3rd party GPS on your vehicles. Your team will then have access to a GPS monitoring portal to track the vehicles health status, location, and any alarms. This helps identify any vehicle problems as they arise, but also fight against kidnapping and keeping your location safe. If someone was to steal your car, you have full disclosure to where your asset is anywhere in the world.
Alarms:
Your home and businesses should be registered under your home office or other if your home office name is too similar to your name. This ensures that location data is safe and your data is vague to not rise any eyebrows.
Computers:
We use endpoint managing software to keep track of the security of your computer, mobiles, and servers. We are also able to encrypt all of the contents, manage the location services, fully erase your data, and control which software has access to your microphone and camera. You can do some of this yourself if you are good with electronics, but it’s a lot of work to keep all of your devices up to date with the continuous changes required as your life and environment changes.
Self Help
Smart Home Devices
Amazon Alexa (Echo, Echo Show, Ring)
- Echo has a physical mute button
- Location-based services – disable or modification to another city nearby
- App – General Settings > Toggle Microsphone On/Off
Google (Nest, Google Home)
- Press microphone button on back or side
- Settings – Disable location services
- Google Account – Data & Personalization > Activity Controls > Location History and turn it off.
- Google Home App – Device settings for mute
Apple (HomePod, HomePod Mini)
- Press and hold top of the Homepad until light flashes orange stopping Siri from listening
- Privacy > Location Services > ‘While Using the App’ to limit location tracking
- Device settings > Toggle Microphone Off
Samsung (SmartThings Hub, Smart Speakers)
- Disable Bixby Voice Wake-Up
- Settings > Location Settings
- Bixby App – Settings and toggle off Location Services
- Smart Speakers have a physical mute button
Vehicles
Tesla
Tesla’s telematics system is highly integrated into the vehicle and is not easily removable. The telematics module plays a role in over-the-air (OTA) updates, navigation, diagnostics, and remote services (like remote start, location tracking, etc.).
Disabling Telematics:
The best way to disable most Tesla telematics features is through the vehicle’s settings menu, where you can control data sharing and location services. Disconnecting the car from Tesla’s servers may stop certain services, but disabling it entirely would be difficult without disabling or removing the entire computer system, which could cause other issues (like loss of navigation or software updates).
Porsche (Porsche Connect)
Porsche’s Porsche Connect system is their version of telematics, offering services like remote vehicle management, tracking, and diagnostics.
Disabling Telematics:
While there is no simple way to fully remove the Porsche telematics module, you can turn off certain services through the Porsche Connect app or by disconnecting the car from the app. Some privacy options are available within the settings, but full deactivation (e.g., to prevent remote tracking) is not typically offered through user-facing menus.
Mercedes-Benz (MBUX and Mercedes me)
Mercedes-Benz uses a system called Mercedes me (connected services) alongside its MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system. These systems control everything from vehicle diagnostics to location tracking and remote services.
Disabling Telematics:
Mercedes offers privacy settings within the Mercedes me app and through the vehicle’s settings. You can disable remote services and limit what data is shared. However, like other manufacturers, fully disconnecting the telematics module would likely require either deactivating services through the app or removing the hardware entirely (which is complex and may void the warranty).
BMW
BMW’s ConnectedDrive system is their version of telematics, offering services like remote vehicle management, tracking, and diagnostics.
A. Turning Off ConnectedDrive Features
- Through the BMW iDrive system:
- Go to the “Settings” menu in the iDrive system.
- You’ll find options to disable specific services like location sharing, remote services, and data sharing.
- Through the BMW Connected App:
- Disconnect your vehicle from the BMW Connected app or BMW ConnectedDrive account.
- You can remove the car from the app, which will stop certain remote functionalities like vehicle tracking or remote access.
B. Privacy Settings and Data Sharing
- Within BMW ConnectedDrive, you can turn off certain privacy settings, like location tracking and sharing vehicle data.
- There’s also a “Privacy Mode” setting in some models that limits how much data is sent to BMW’s servers (like diagnostic data, location, etc.).
Maserati
Maserati’s telematics system, Maserati Connect, allows owners to monitor and control various aspects of their vehicle. Key features include:
- Remote access to the car (locking/unlocking, remote start)
- Vehicle tracking (real-time GPS location)
- Vehicle diagnostics (health checks, tire pressure, oil levels)
- Emergency services (automatic crash notification, roadside assistance)
- Remote climate control (adjust the interior temperature remotely)
- Performance monitoring (track lap times, driving style, etc.)
The system is designed for both convenience and safety, giving owners the ability to monitor the car’s status and control some functions remotely, especially via the Maserati Connect app.
A. Turning Off or Limiting Remote Services
- Through the Maserati Connect App:
- You can disconnect the vehicle from the Maserati Connect app, which will stop remote services like remote start, location tracking, and remote unlocking.
- You can also turn off location sharing and stop sending data (such as diagnostics) to Maserati’s servers. This will limit the system’s ability to track your car or monitor its health remotely.
- In-Vehicle Settings:
- Some Maserati models have an option in the infotainment system (Uconnect) to turn off location tracking and data sharing. You can usually find these settings under “Privacy” or “Connectivity” sections in the menu.
- Disabling certain services may involve going into the settings and toggling off features like remote access or vehicle data reporting.
Ferrari
If you want to limit or disable the telematics system in a Ferrari, there are a few options, although the process may not be as simple as pressing a button. Ferrari’s telematics system is designed to be user-friendly for convenience and emergency purposes, but disabling it completely may require contacting the manufacturer or a dealership. Here’s how you can go about it:
A. Turning Off or Limiting Connected Services
- Through the Ferrari App (Ferrari Connect):
- The Ferrari Connect app can be used to control some aspects of the telematics system, like remote locking and performance tracking.
- You can disconnect the vehicle from the app or disable location tracking and remote services through the app’s settings.
- Through the In-Vehicle Infotainment System:
- You can typically disable certain services like location tracking, performance data sharing, and remote monitoring through the settings menu in the car’s infotainment system (FERRARI HMI or equivalent).
- Look for options under the “Settings” or “Connectivity” section where you can disable services like remote diagnostics or tracking.