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CEO of Spyware Maker Arrested For Enabling Stalkers
An anonymous reader writes: U.S. authorities have arrested and indicted the CEO of a mobile software company for selling spyware that enables "stalkers and domestic abusers." The U.S. Department of Justice accuses the man of promoting and selling software that can "monitor calls, texts, videos and other communications on mobile phones without detection." The agency pointed out this is the first criminal case based on mobile spyware, and promised to aggressively pursue makers of similar software in the future. Here's the legal filing (PDF). The FBI, with approval from a District Court, has disabled the website hosting the software.
"The indictment alleges that StealthGenie's capabilities included the following: it recorded all incoming/outgoing voice calls; it intercepted calls on the phone to be monitored while they take place; it allowed the purchaser to call the phone and activate it at any time to monitor all surrounding conversations within a 15-foot radius; and it allowed the purchaser to monitor the user's incoming and outgoing e-mail messages and SMS messages, incoming voicemail messages, address book, calendar, photographs, and videos. All of these functions were enabled without the knowledge of the user of the phone."
"The indictment alleges that StealthGenie's capabilities included the following: it recorded all incoming/outgoing voice calls; it intercepted calls on the phone to be monitored while they take place; it allowed the purchaser to call the phone and activate it at any time to monitor all surrounding conversations within a 15-foot radius; and it allowed the purchaser to monitor the user's incoming and outgoing e-mail messages and SMS messages, incoming voicemail messages, address book, calendar, photographs, and videos. All of these functions were enabled without the knowledge of the user of the phone."
Can't we find something better of DoJ to do. Start with bankers please.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allte...
You can't be ahead of the curve, if you're stuck in a loop.
Why don't you think of the children.
Seriously, this should have been marketed as a way to keep tabs on your precious little gem. There are already products out there that do similar functionality like nanny cams, locator watches and so on.
You could argue that there are several legitmate uses for the software. ... How is this software marketed? Is it strictly to stalkers? I kind of doubt it. It's just a technology that can be used for nefarious purposes.
Kim Dotcom and Megaupload made it clear that having a lawful, substantial use is not a defense. Not for todays Department of Justice.
It is hard to see how they FBI can prove their case.
Why would they need to? Threaten 35 years under the CFAA and plea bargain them.
It's the law of the jungle for software and the internet -- don't be small or slow or you might become prey.
Depends on where they are. In many states, it's legal as long as one party is aware the call is being recorded.
~Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.