Spyware company founder pleads guilty to federal charges

According to TechCrunch, the founder of a U.S.-based spyware company, pcTattletale, has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to his operation that allowed customers to spy on phones and computers. Bryan Fleming entered his plea in San Diego federal court on Tuesday to charges including computer hacking, selling surveillance software for unlawful uses, and conspiracy.

The plea stems from a multi-year investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) into consumer-grade surveillance software, commonly known as stalkerware. pcTattletale, operational since at least 2016, enabled users to track individuals, including romantic partners, without their knowledge by uploading data like messages, photos, and location to the company's servers. HSI's investigation highlighted that pcTattletale specifically advertised its spyware for surreptitiously spying on spouses and partners, distinguishing it from other stalkerware that claimed lawful uses like monitoring children. Fleming's operation generated over $600,000 in transactions through his PayPal account.

This case marks the first U.S. federal prosecution of a stalkerware operator in over a decade, potentially setting a precedent for future investigations into spyware companies and advertisers. Privacy advocates hope this conviction will alter the risk assessment for those creating and distributing such invasive technology.

Source: TechCrunch