Detection of Location Tracking

Technique Detected:  Location Tracking | T1430

ID: DET0675
Domains: Mobile
Analytics: AN1776, AN1777
Version: 1.0
Created: 21 October 2025
Last Modified: 12 May 2026

Analytics

AN1776

For Android, detect Location Tracking by correlating analyst-visible device/network evidence and management state; use streaming or batched telemetry only where the documented collector is deployed. Correlate API Calls via Application Vetting / Instrumented Dynamic Analysis [Dynamic API/runtime trace: LocationManager.requestLocationUpdates() called with minTime < $LocationUpdateFreqThreshold$ by app NOT IN $LocationAllowList$]; Network Traffic Content via Enterprise Secure Web Gateway / Proxy [DNS/HTTP(S) inspection or proxy transaction metadata where enterprise decryption/inspection is deployed]; Permissions Request via Android Enterprise DPC / Application Vetting [DevicePolicyManager.getPermissionGrantState(); PackageManager manifest/requested-permission review]. Alert on a sequence or state change inconsistent with the device/app baseline, approved management policy, or expected user workflow; do not infer unobserved API calls, file/process activity, or payload content from management state alone.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
API Calls (DC0112) mobile:DynamicAnalysis Dynamic API/runtime trace: LocationManager.requestLocationUpdates() called with minTime < $LocationUpdateFreqThreshold$ by app NOT IN $LocationAllowList$
Network Traffic Content (DC0085) webproxy:applog DNS/HTTP(S) inspection or proxy transaction metadata where enterprise decryption/inspection is deployed
Permissions Request (DC0116) android:DevicePolicyManager DevicePolicyManager.getPermissionGrantState(); PackageManager manifest/requested-permission review
Mutable Elements
Field Description
LocationAllowList Navigation, delivery, enterprise fleet management apps. Derive from MDM catalog.
LocationUpdateFreqThreshold Default 60000ms (1 min) — below this = continuous surveillance vs occasional check-in.
LocationCDNList Google Maps, Apple Maps, Mapbox, enterprise fleet CDN endpoints.
ExfilWindow Default 300s.

AN1777

For iOS, detect Location Tracking by correlating analyst-visible device/network evidence and management state; use streaming or batched telemetry only where the documented collector is deployed. Correlate Application Permission via Application Vetting [Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys]; Network Traffic Flow via Apple Network Extension / Enterprise VPN [NEFilterFlow / per-app VPN / secure-web-gateway flow metadata]; Permissions Request via Application Vetting [Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys]. Alert on a sequence or state change inconsistent with the device/app baseline, approved management policy, or expected user workflow; do not infer unobserved API calls, file/process activity, or payload content from management state alone.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Application Permission (DC0114) mobile:ApplicationVetting Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys
Network Traffic Flow (DC0078) iOS:NetworkExtension NEFilterFlow / per-app VPN / secure-web-gateway flow metadata
Permissions Request (DC0116) mobile:ApplicationVetting Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys
Mutable Elements
Field Description
LocationAllowList Navigation, delivery, enterprise fleet app bundle IDs.
LocationCDNList Apple Maps, Google Maps, Mapbox, enterprise fleet endpoints.