With the advent of car sharing mobile applications, a rapid expansion in their user base has been observed. The substantial revenue these apps yield has inadvertently drawn the attention of cyber-attack perpetrators. Among the numerous cyber threats these platforms face, GPS Spoofing has been identified as an escalating concern affecting the integrity of car sharing services [https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/grab-outlines-ways-its-drivers-try-defraud-ride-sharing-firm].
GPS Spoofing entails the manipulation of GPS signals to present a false location, an exploit that has been utilised to defraud car sharing companies. An instance of this was recorded in Singapore, where drivers were found to employ GPS Spoofing tools to misrepresent their location to gain an unfair advantage over other drivers when acquiring customers from local car sharing company, Grab.
These individuals, leveraging typical signal transmitting tools and “rooted” mobile phones equipped with unregulated software, could feign their locations without actual displacement. As a result, these drivers could mimic driving patterns, complete rides, and consequently, receive compensation while being stationary.
In other instances, GPS Spoofing has been used to simulate the driver’s position in a high-demand area, despite being physically distant. By virtually situating themselves advantageously, these perpetrators could unjustly secure customers at the expense of the drivers genuinely present in these locations.
Such real-world examples elucidate the tangible financial ramifications of GPS Spoofing on businesses and their employees. Considering the ease of access and the legal ambiguity surrounding the acquisition of GPS Spoofing tools, the threat posed by GPS Spoofing to mobile applications, specifically within the ride-sharing sector, is likely to intensify in the foreseeable future.
The growing prevalence of GPS Spoofing underscores the urgent need for robust countermeasures to preserve the integrity of GPS-dependent services and protect them against these sophisticated cyber threats. The evolving dynamics of GPS Spoofing necessitate continuous vigilance, proactive measures, and innovative solutions to ensure the security and reliability of GPS-enabled applications.
