Spyware Seller Shuts Down After Hack (vice.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Retina-X, a company that sells spyware or 'stalkerware' for everyday users has ceased operations after yet another hack. Retina-X sells a handful of apps that monitor computers and cellphones. These are marketed to parents and employees but also used by abusive or jealous partners.

Comments

From the Website

[DaMattster]

This juicy little tidbit comes from their website: "Retina-X Studios is sharing information about the illegal hackings and cooperating with the appropriate authorities. The perpetrators of these illegal acts have been motivated by their unfounded opposition to the private activities of parents and employers on devices they own and with the consent of users of the devices. The perpetrators, who will likely never be identified or brought to justice, have shared their actions with online publications to gain attention. They are cowards who work in the dark and use the media to promote their agenda. Retina-X apologizes to our customers for any inconvenience this situation has caused, but our first priority is to you. We appreciate the loyalty you have shown our company and these valuable services."

Nope, sorry assholes. Wrong answer! The Retina-X motherfuckers are the ones that are the bad guys here. They openly promote a surveillance society. They call the hackers cowards but people who need to spy on others are cowards. Fuck you, Retina-X!

Paint a target on your chest, prepare to get hit

[davidwr]

For better or for worse, participating in certain industries means always being in someone's line of fire.

Providing controversial products or services such as abortion services in a "red state" or military-style guns in a "blue state"? Prepare to cave to political pressure or spend extra on security, public relations, and lawyers.

Selling cutting-edge drugs or medical equipment that has a more-than-zero-percent failure rate? Better have good lawyers or politicians in your pocket from the get-go otherwise that first lawsuit when your product does fail or your drug has a rare bad side effect is going to bankrupt you.

Running an adult-oriented business in a city or country that doesn't like them, or providing online services to such businesses (think BackPage)? Have the lawyers on standby. If you wind up competing with organized crime, you'll also need to hiring reliable, loyal private security or you might wind up doing the modern equivalent of going swimming with "cement boots."

Selling products or services ("stalker-ware") to third parties (governments or private individuals) that can hurt people (those being spied upon) who can hurt you back (some stalk-ees can fight back, you know)? Unless you are so invisible nobody but your customers/prospective customers knows who you are (selling only to or by referral from three-letter-agencies), you'll need good security for your company, its assets, and anyone associated with the company, both virtual and probably physical.