A Michigan man has learned a costly lesson about digital privacy and the law after utilizing so-called “stalkerware” to monitor a partner. While these apps are marketed as tools to catch unfaithful spouses, using them to intercept someone’s electronic communications without their consent is a serious felony.
Legal experts emphasize that privacy laws do not carve out exceptions for domestic relationships. The case highlights the increasing scrutiny on spyware vendors and the individuals who use them. Unauthorized access to a device—or the installation of monitoring software without the owner’s knowledge—violates federal wiretapping statutes and computer fraud laws. This serves as a stark warning: while the emotional urge to monitor a partner is understandable, the legal backlash for using surveillance software can lead to criminal charges that far outweigh any relationship issues.
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