In that case, couldn't someone just make a tracker tag using GPS and a mobile connection?

these devices are way more insidious though, a gps/mobile tracker would have more limitations due to it being less able to be hidden and less mobile.

GPS+mobile tracker:

- 4x the cost plus ongoing fees

- 2x larger

- can’t buy it at any big box store

- relies on a third party who can also see what you’re tracking

- battery limited to weeks, not years

Accessibility and features make these way more compelling

Have you heard the term "defense in depth"?

In the security world, it seems accepted that no security effort is a silver bullet that's 100% impossible to get around.

Rather, it seems best practice to compose many layers of security efforts, which all work to raise the level of effort an attacker is required to exploit people.

So I think it's unfair to say this is a charade.