Spy apps have become quite popular. It is very easy to get a spy app online and install it on a phone or a computer without even having access to it. While there is a legal context under which you can use spy apps, such as tracking your kids’ location, the legal landscape of using spy apps remains a contentious issue.
Spy apps pose a danger to those that are being spied on. They make it very easy for a third party to access all your phone conversations and location. Given the extent of data that a spy app can collect, it poses legal concerns.
In this guide, we will take a look at spy apps, the type of information they collect, the danger they pose to privacy, and the legal landscape of using these monitoring tools to collect information.
What Are Spy Apps?
Spy apps are software used to scan a phone or computer to access calls, texts, social media messages, location, etc.
Spy apps come with varying features. Some can even record keystrokes and send geofencing alerts. Moreover, these apps are capable of remaining hidden on the target device to avoid detection.
With a spy app, you do not need access to someone’s phone or computer password. You can access all their information remotely.
Given the nature of these apps and the discreet manner in which they work, it is easy to see why they are exploited by jealous spouses and stalkers. While they can help keep your underage children safe, they can also be used by malicious threat actors that might cause them harm.
There are dozens of spy apps on the market today. Moreover, these apps come in both free and paid versions. Given the growing popularity of these apps, you must understand the settings under which spy apps can be used safely without jeopardizing privacy.
Why Do People Use Spy Apps?
Many reasons might compel someone to use spy apps. Some of these reasons might stem from genuine concern about a person’s whereabouts and online activity, while in some cases, it could be due to jealousy or financial gain.
Here are some of the most popular reasons why people feel the need to use spy apps:
Parental monitoring
Parents might want to use spy apps to monitor their kids’ activities. Whenever your pre-teen or teen kids are using their phones, there is always that concern at the back of your mind about what they could be up to or who they are talking to.
With spy apps, you can keep track of the people your kids are talking to as well as the conversations they are having. Moreover, you can also access their location in real time.
Employee monitoring
If you have assigned work phones and computers to your employees, you might want to keep up with their activity. Employee monitoring tools ensure that you know what your employees are doing with their work phones.
You can monitor their productivity using spy apps. You also get to know the clients they are talking to and the details of the conversations. Spy apps also help employers safeguard their business secrets.
Collecting evidence
Spy apps can also come in handy when collecting evidence of abuse or other activity. Once you install these apps, you can record conversations, calls, and media files easily.
Moreover, if you suspect that your partner is cheating on you, spy apps can help you gather the information that you need.
The Dangers of Spy Apps
As seen above, there are many reasons why people turn to monitoring tools. Nevertheless, the usage of these spy apps has spiraled out of control. In some cases, the tools pose a danger to privacy and safety.
First, let us look at the dangers of commercial spyware like Pegasus. Surveillance on phones or computers is not limited to using spy apps. Instead, large groups like governments and hacking organizations can deploy spyware to target interest groups like journalists, human rights activists, researchers, etc.
A report by the Centre for International Governance Innovation highlighted instances where governments are using spyware to suppress opposition.
The above case shows the large-scale use of spyware. However, what about the individual use of spy apps that are easily available on the internet? It is very easy to get a spy app over the internet. Moreover, you can even install some spy apps on a person’s phone remotely without even having access to their phone.
Spy apps often operate in stealth mode. It is nearly impossible to tell that your phone is infected. Someone can go through all your conversations and have access to your location data in real-time, which is a major cause of the erosion of privacy.
The availability of spy apps and the unregulated state of this space means that we are all in danger of unauthorized surveillance.
The Legal Landscape of Using Spy Apps – Are Spy Apps Illegal?
The legality of spy apps is often a contentious issue. On the one hand, one might argue that spy apps can be used to promote safety, both at home and at the workplace. However, others will argue that they compromise the privacy of the people being targeted.
Is parental monitoring with spy apps legal?
As a parent, you are always looking for new ways to protect your children from the unknown dangers of the internet. As technology evolves, you have to change with it to ensure you have the right strategies in place to ensure that the phone or computer you bought your kids does not erode their innocence.
Kids are not always forthcoming with what they are up to. If you are raising teens, you will find it very hard for them to open up to you. As such, you might resort to using spy apps.
Installing spy apps on your kids’ phones or computers might not be deemed illegal in some jurisdictions as they are underage children under your care. While parental monitoring is acceptable, what message are you sending your kids?
If you install a spy app on your kids’ phones and you do not tell them about it, it might show them that you do not trust them. As such, they might start hiding things from you. If you want to install a spy app on your kids’ phones, it is recommended that you inform them first.
Can an employer use spy apps legally?
Employers are also increasingly using spy apps to keep track of the productivity of their employees. Spy apps are an innovative tool, and if you want to know what your employees are up to, you might want to start using spy apps.
You should know that spy apps should be limited to work phones and computers. Even in this case, you need to alert your employees that you have installed the monitoring software.
Installing spy apps on an employee’s phone without their consent is illegal. As an employer, you are only limited to knowing the work-related conversations and contacts that your employees are having with their work gadgets.
If an employee finds that a company installed spy apps on their phone without consent, it could pose major legal consequences including a lawsuit.
Is it legal to use spy apps to spy on my spouse?
There is also a moral and legal dilemma of using spy apps to spy on your spouse. If you suspect your spouse is cheating on you and you do not have access to their phone, you might resolve to use spy apps.
You should note that using spy apps to spy on an adult without their consent is illegal. Therefore, if you install a spy app on your spouse’s phone and they find out about it, they could sue you.
However, spy apps are not just used to spy on cheating calls and messages. In some cases, you might use these apps to collect evidence if your spouse is subjecting you to abuse.
In such a case, the use of the spy app could be justified. You can use the information collected to make or support a case against your spouse. You should know that using spy apps without your partners’ consent could also be seen as abuse.
Real-Life Stories of People Caught Using Spy Apps & Consequences
Now that you know that using spy apps could be illegal and even subject you to court proceedings, we should look at the stories of people caught using these monitoring tools and the legal consequences.
In 2007, a man in Ohio was sued by his wife’s friend for using spyware to access emails on a household computer. The wife’s friend argued that spy apps compromised her privacy. In his defense, the Ohio man sued the spyware maker company saying that they did not inform him that using spyware would violate state and federal law.
In 2016, another individual known as Joseph Zang was sued for installing spyware on his wife’s phone after suspecting her of cheating. The spyware company behind creating the spy app was also subject to legal scrutiny.
When using spy apps to spy on someone, you should note that you are also compromising the privacy of a third party that you do not know. While your loved one might not sue you, the person at the other end of your spouse’s conversation might sue you for invading their privacy.
How to Spy Safely
While spyware could be deemed illegal, you can explore ways that you can spy on your kids, spouse, or employees legally.
In the case of kids, you might consider informing them that you have a spy app installed, which will help boost the level of trust between the two of you.
When spying on your employees, you should only install the spy apps on their work phones or computers. Since work gadgets are deemed company property, having spyware installed might not pose major legal consequences.
In the case of your spouse, the legal risk of spying on them with spy apps is extremely high. There are other ways to know what your spouse is doing on their phone besides using spy apps such as asking them for their phone to see their conversations without having to snoop without their knowledge.
How to Protect Yourself from Spy Apps
Spy apps pose a major danger to safety and privacy. Therefore, it is also best that you learn how to stay safe from spying to protect your personal and intimate conversations, below are some tips are tricks you can use to stay safe from spying.
Use anti-malware software
The first tip to protect yourself from spy apps is to use anti-malware software. Anti-malware software will detect any malicious apps and ensure they stay away from your phone. It also guarantees that any spyware that might have already been installed is removed.
Update software
Sometimes, spyware will leverage outdated software to install on your device. In this case, you should always update your phone’s software to ensure malware does not have an entry point.
Do not download suspicious apps
Malware can also disguise itself as an app. If you detect any suspicious app on your phone, it could most likely be spyware. Moreover, you should avoid downloading apps from third-party or untrusted sources.
Stay away from suspicious links
It is also recommended that you stay away from suspicious links as they could harbor malware. Sometimes, someone might send a malicious link to your phone to dupe you into downloading malware.
Wrapping Up – The Legal Landscape Of Using Spy Apps
Spy apps have become increasingly popular, and many people are now turning to these tools to spy on their kids, employees, spouses, and loved ones. However, given that these tools pose a major danger to safety and privacy, there are concerns about their legal landscape.
Using spy apps against an adult is illegal and it could lead to a lawsuit being filed against you. If you are considering installing a spy app, ensure you do so within the legal framework such as informing the other person that you are tracking them.
Spy apps can collect a lot of information from a person’s device. Therefore, it is recommended that you remain cautious and adopt safety measures that will guarantee your device is not compromised.
FAQs
What are spy apps?
Spy apps are monitoring software that collects information from a phone stealthily without being detected. It can collect data like call logs, messages, social media data, and even location.
Are spy apps illegal?
Using spy apps can be deemed illegal when you are spying on an adult’s phone without their consent. In the past, several people have been sued for using spy apps to gain information on their spouses.
Can I use spy apps to spy on my spouse?
You can use spy apps to spy on your spouse, but that could be seen as illegal if you do not have their consent. Spy apps will let you see the people your spouse is talking to and their conversations.
Can I sue someone for using spy apps?
If you find that someone is using spy apps to spy on you without your knowledge, you can use them to compromise your privacy.
