Software has been
developed that allows a phone's text messages and movements to be
tracked
Although the programs - including mSpy and Text, Message,
Notification, Location Remote Spy, are marketed towards parents
keeping track of their children, reviews have revealed people are using
them to track their partners.
In one disturbing review for the software, which can be bought for £20 a
month, a person wrote: "I think this is the most useful app out there
right now it is so easy to use an my girlfriend didn't even know."
Another added: "This app is incredibly useful and does everything its
supposed to do.
"I was able to see everything my boyfriend had been hiding from me and
because he let's me on his fone all the time it was so easy.
Reviews for mSpy were also
shared, showing people used it to check their partner's phone
"Everyone should get this app especially of you have a kid or significant
other you suspect is being u faithful. It saved me alot of heartache and
pain. Thank you for actually helping me."
mSpy, which costs up to £14.99 a year, boasts that it can help parents
"monitor text messages, calls, current GPS location, Snapchat, WhatsApp
and much more".
But in one review, a user claimed: "In those 3 days I found out my sig
other was in fact cheating on me.... The app was actually able to obtain
DELETED Whatsapp notes."
The app's website includes a disclaimer, saying it is a violation to
install the software onto a device you do not own.
Downloading the software on a
phone without a person's knowledge is illegal
Accessing a computer device without someone’s permission is an offence
under the Police and Justice Act and can carry a two-year prison sentence.
Fine Line Labs, who run Text, Message, Notification, Location Remote
Spy, said the app was used for parental or employer use.
They said the only way someone could install the app on a person's phone
was to unlock it, and install the monitoring software.
A spokesperson added: "Both situations (unlocking and reading your
personal information, and unlocking to install software) are illegal, so
we trust that law abiding people will use our app legally.
"For a thief who steals a device to gain access to it, that is entirely
separate from our app and the apps intended purposes."
Google's policies include prohibiting Surveillance and Commercial
Spyware apps being sold on the Play store.