How It Works Enterprise Solutions Use Cases Where It Goes Plans Become a Partner Pre-Order My Account
FAQ

Frequently Asked
Questions

Everything you need to know about Digital Tripwire. If your question isn't here, email us at hello@digitaltripwire.com and we'll answer it personally.

The Basics
What Is Digital Tripwire?
What is Digital Tripwire?+
Digital Tripwire is a forensic-grade proximity evidence device. It's a small sensor that you place on any object you want to protect. When that object is disturbed, the sensor instantly scans and logs every Bluetooth and Wi-Fi device within 10 feet. MAC addresses, signal strength, distance estimates, and precise timestamps. All encrypted, uploaded to the cloud via LTE-M cellular, and exportable as court-ready evidence.
How is this different from an AirTag or Tile?+
AirTags and Tile are finders. They tell you where something is. Digital Tripwire is an evidence device. It tells you who was near your item when it was disturbed. An AirTag can tell you your bag is at a Starbucks on 5th Street. But the moment someone pulls it off and tosses it, you're tracking a trash can. Digital Tripwire logs every phone within 10 feet the moment the item moves. Even if they find the device and destroy it, the evidence is already in the cloud.
What does the device actually look like?+
The hub is a small device roughly the size of a deck of cards that plugs into any USB outlet. The nodes are much smaller, designed to be placed on or inside objects. Nodes come in over 200 color-matched options so they blend into whatever surface they're attached to. Once placed, they're virtually invisible.
Does it need Wi-Fi?+
No. Digital Tripwire uses LTE-M cellular connectivity via a pre-installed 1NCE IoT SIM to transmit data directly to the cloud. No Wi-Fi. No phone relay. No Apple Find My or Google network. Completely independent infrastructure. That independence is what makes it reliable as forensic evidence.
How long does the battery last?+
Nodes run on a battery that lasts 3 to 5 years. No charging. No battery replacement. No maintenance. You place it once and forget it exists. The hub is USB-C powered and stays plugged in.
How It Works
The Technical Questions
What data does it actually capture?+
Every scan captures MAC addresses of nearby BLE and Wi-Fi devices, signal strength (RSSI) for distance estimation, device type classification (phone, watch, beacon, etc.), GPS coordinates of the device itself, and precise timestamps. All data is cryptographically hash-chained and encrypted with AES-256 before transmission.
What triggers a scan?+
An accelerometer inside each node detects physical movement. When someone picks up, opens, or disturbs the object the node is attached to, it wakes from dormant mode and performs a full proximity scan in milliseconds. The trigger is physical disturbance, not proximity alone.
Does it track in real-time?+
Yes. In active mode, the device transmits its GPS location via LTE-M cellular. Even in dormant mode, the hub sends a heartbeat location ping every 15 minutes so you always know where the device is, even before an event occurs.
How does the hub communicate with the nodes?+
Nodes communicate with the hub via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The hub then transmits all data to the cloud via LTE-M cellular. This two-step architecture means the nodes themselves don't need cellular radios, keeping them small and extending battery life to 3-5 years.
What happens if someone destroys the device?+
The evidence is already in the cloud. By the time someone finds and destroys the device, the proximity scan data has already been encrypted and uploaded via LTE-M. Destroying the hardware doesn't destroy the data. That's by design.
Does it emit a signal that can be detected?+
Unlike AirTags which actively broadcast their location and can be detected by anti-stalking features, Digital Tripwire nodes operate passively. They listen for nearby BLE and Wi-Fi broadcasts without transmitting a discoverable signal. This makes them significantly harder to detect and remove.
Legal & Evidence
Court Admissibility
Is this legal?+
Digital Tripwire captures publicly broadcast wireless signals. These are the same BLE and Wi-Fi advertisements that every device around you is already transmitting openly. The data is collected passively on your own property or belongings. This is comparable to a security camera recording public-facing areas. However, laws vary by jurisdiction, and we recommend consulting local regulations for your specific use case.
Can this evidence be used in court?+
Digital Tripwire's forensic architecture is specifically designed to meet the requirements for digital evidence admissibility. Data is encrypted with AES-256 and hash-chained for tamper detection. The chain of custody is maintained from capture to export. While evidentiary standards vary by jurisdiction, the system has been reviewed and validated by a former FBI digital forensics investigator, a former federal prosecutor, and a former family court judge.
How does the chain of custody work?+
Every data point is timestamped, encrypted, and hash-chained at the moment of capture. The hash chain means any tampering with the data after the fact is cryptographically detectable. When you export the evidence as CSV or JSON, the chain of custody documentation is included, showing the unbroken sequence from capture to cloud to export.
Can I use this in a custody dispute?+
Yes. This is one of Digital Tripwire's most impactful use cases. In custody disputes, proof of who was present during drop-offs, visits, and exchanges can change outcomes. A node in your child's backpack logs every phone that was nearby during a custody exchange, with timestamps and distance estimates. That's objective evidence that replaces he-said-she-said. Consult your family law attorney about admissibility in your specific jurisdiction.
Can law enforcement access my data?+
Your data is your data. You control it, you export it, you decide who sees it. If you choose to share logs with law enforcement, the chain-of-custody export provides forensic-standard documentation. We don't provide backdoor access to anyone. Period.
Safety & Privacy
Personal Safety Features
What is the check-in feature?+
The check-in feature lets you set a timed safety window. One tap in the app before walking to your car, going on a first date, or entering an unfamiliar situation. If you don't confirm you're safe within the time window, the app automatically alerts up to 5 trusted contacts with your last known location and full proximity logs, ready to export to police.
What happens if I miss a check-in?+
If you miss a scheduled check-in, the app sends an immediate alert to your configured emergency contacts. The alert includes your last known location, the time window that was missed, and full proximity data from the device. The missed check-in itself is logged as a timestamped event in the forensic chain.
Can this be used for stalking?+
Digital Tripwire is designed to be placed on your own property and belongings. It does not track other people's locations. It logs which devices are in proximity to your item when that item is disturbed. The device is registered to a verified account, and misuse violates our terms of service and potentially applicable laws. We take anti-stalking seriously and have built the product with safeguards in mind.
What is UV ownership verification?+
Every Digital Tripwire device has a hidden UV-reactive QR code that's invisible to the naked eye. If your item is stolen, stripped, or sold for parts, shining a blacklight on any component reveals the QR code. Scanning it with any phone pulls up the registered owner, the full proximity log, and a chain of custody. The parts don't need to be whole. They just need to be yours.
Pricing & Plans
Cost & Subscription
How much does it cost?+
The device (hub + starter node kit) is $189.99 one-time. The cloud service starts at $2.99/month for the Protection plan (single device) or $19.99/month for Protection Plus (up to 20 devices). Enterprise pricing is custom. There are no hidden fees, no contracts, and no annual increases.
Can I cancel anytime?+
Yes. Month to month. No contracts. No cancellation fees. Cancel from the app whenever you want. Your device keeps working locally but stops uploading to the cloud. Your existing data stays accessible for 90 days after cancellation.
Do I need a plan for each device?+
No. The Protection plan covers one hub and its connected nodes. Protection Plus covers up to 20 devices on one dashboard. You're paying for a plan, not per device. Additional node packs can be purchased separately and added to any plan.
What happens to my data if I cancel?+
Your data stays in the cloud for 90 days after cancellation. You can export everything as CSV or JSON during that window. After 90 days, it's permanently deleted from our servers. We don't hold data hostage and we don't keep it after you leave.
Can I add more nodes later?+
Yes. Additional node packs are available in the shop. They auto-pair with your existing hub when activated. No setup, no configuration. Peel, stick, connected.
Setup
Getting Started
How long does setup take?+
Under 5 minutes. Plug in the hub, download the app, and place your nodes. The hub connects to the cloud automatically via LTE-M. Nodes auto-pair with the hub. There's no Wi-Fi password to enter, no Bluetooth pairing screens, and no setup wizard with 14 steps.
What app do I need?+
The Digital Tripwire app is available for iOS and Android. It's where you view proximity logs, manage devices, set check-in timers, export evidence, and receive push notifications. The app is included with every plan.
Where should I put the nodes?+
Anywhere you want a silent witness. Common placements include behind a TV, inside a guitar case, under a laptop, in a kid's backpack, inside a car's dashboard area, on jewelry boxes, inside purses, and behind framed photos. The nodes are color-matched from over 200 options, so they disappear on any surface. Check our Where It Goes page for inspiration.
Does the hub need to be near the nodes?+
The hub and nodes communicate via Bluetooth Low Energy, which has a typical range of 30-50 feet indoors. For a standard home, one hub centrally located will cover most rooms. For larger properties or multi-floor homes, additional hubs or range extenders may be needed.
Still Have Questions?

We answer every email personally. No chatbot. No ticket system. Just a real person who built the product and can answer anything you want to know.

Email Us Directly