Chris Rieckmann | January 14, 2025
Network Latency Triangulation based Geolocation
Information about a device’s physical location can be inferred by measuring the time it takes for signals to travel between the device and a known server location.
As the speed of light cannot be exceeded according to the known laws of physics, a maximum possible distance can be established with certainty, based on the signal latency.
Multiple measurements to different servers establish circular areas of possible locations on the earth’s surface which can then be intersected.
For more context on how this technology enables reliable online polls, see our article on
IP-based polls as a proxy for popular opinion.
Key Advantages:
- Cannot be manipulated unlike GPS signal derived coordinates, which can be altered by the user’s device before relaying them to the server
- Works even when location services are disabled, provided that the user consents to it’s application
- Can provide supportive evidence for VPN/proxy usage, when the latency is too high for all server locations
How It Works
The process relies on the physical limitations of data transmission through the internet infrastructure:
- Light travels through fiber optic cables at approximately 2/3 the speed of light in vacuum
- Routing inefficiencies and electronics increase the signal latency typically by 20% or more. This range can be represented as a probabilistic distribution.
- The maximum theoretical distance between two points can be calculated based on these limitations and the measured latency
- Multiple measurements to different servers establish circular areas of possible locations on the earth’s surface which can then be intersected
- When trying to alter the apparentlocation, a user can only introduce delays, which will result in a higher location
