Digital Smarts - Spy App Maker Indicted

We recently discussed the availability of smartphone spy apps that allow users to monitor a target’s smartphone, including calls, texts, social and media postings, while also tracking the smartphone’s location and secretly activating its microphone to take recordings. The technology is similar to that used by police to track suspects, however the use of this kind of surveillance by private individuals may actually violate federal law. Federal officials have indicted the maker of one of these spy apps called StealthGenie, making it the first criminal case that has been brought against the marketing and selling of a mobile spyware app. There has been no official ruling on the subject yet, but activists against domestic violence have long expressed concern that surveillance software can lead to attacks on women suspected of infidelity. Time will tell if this kind of app is declared legal, but in the meantime if someone seems to have too much information on you or a family member learn how to check for mobile spyware on your own device.