[mikorym]

> That kind of triangulation is nowhere near precise enough to reveal the data shown in the article

You don't have to speculate, the article does state the method:

>> All modern mobile phones have a GPS receiver, which with the help of satellite can track the exact position of the phone with only a few meters distance.

>> The position data NRK acquired consisted of a table with four hundred million map coordinates from mobiles in Norway. A number in the table led us on the trail of Karl Bjarne Bernhardsen.

I think the general observation is that they (government, cell providers, 3rd parties to whom this is sold) have access to most GPS data and all cell tower triangulation data; the latter they have however often it is set up to be recorded.

[tinus_hn]

Do you really propose a manufacturer like Apple is going to grant continuous access to the GPS receiver in their phone to the providers?

[mikorym]

I am not sure what you are asking. In the OP article they plot each point so that you can see them explicitly. They then mention these are GPS points.

Cell triangulation needs no client side data; it uses only signal strength and three or more towers.

[tinus_hn]

So what is the connection between the GPS points and the cell triangulation? How does having the cell triangulation data lead to having the GPS points? The parent claims the providers can magically access the GPS receiver in the handsets. But they really cannot, so the providers only have coarse data that cannot be used to track people on this level. The data is from another source, not the provider.

It’s much more likely the user agreed to install an app that is recording his location information.

[mikorym]

Oh, that is false of course. If you want GPS data you need access to the phone's GPS, as you are pointing out.

I think the original point about triangulation was just that even if you are as careful as possible, then people can still track you via cell towers.