A Michigan man has learned the hard way that "catch a cheater" spyware apps aren't legal, as Bryan Fleming, the creator of pcTattletale software, recently pled guilty to selling spyware designed to secretly monitor adults without their consent.
Fleming's company, Fleming Technologies, launched pcTattletale in 2002, which allowed users to record and upload videos of others' phone activities. The tool was initially marketed as a way for parents to monitor their children and employers to track employees, but it soon found its way onto the black market as a means to spy on romantic partners.
In 2021, Vice reported that pcTattletale was leaking sensitive data collected by the app, including videos of unsuspecting individuals. The company's marketing materials touted using the tool to catch a "cheating spouse," which required users to know their partner's passcode and have access to their phone for about five minutes - typically when they are sleeping.
Despite being repeatedly told that his product was being used to spy on others without consent, Fleming continued to provide technical support and even created ready-made banner ads with phrases like "pcTattletale Cheating Husband? #1 catch a cheater spy tracker." He also noted that the app was more successful when marketed towards women.
In 2022, federal investigators raided Fleming's home in Bruce Township, Michigan, after obtaining a search warrant. The investigation targeted stalkerware companies, including pcTattletale, which were using their products to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications without consent.
Fleming was eventually charged with selling a product knowing or having reason to know it was primarily used for surreptitious interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications. He pled guilty in California court this week and is awaiting sentencing while released on his own recognizance.
The case highlights the dangers of stalkerware and spyware apps that are designed to secretly monitor individuals without their consent. While such tools may be marketed as legitimate solutions for parents or employers, they can have devastating consequences when used for malicious purposes.
Fleming's company, Fleming Technologies, launched pcTattletale in 2002, which allowed users to record and upload videos of others' phone activities. The tool was initially marketed as a way for parents to monitor their children and employers to track employees, but it soon found its way onto the black market as a means to spy on romantic partners.
In 2021, Vice reported that pcTattletale was leaking sensitive data collected by the app, including videos of unsuspecting individuals. The company's marketing materials touted using the tool to catch a "cheating spouse," which required users to know their partner's passcode and have access to their phone for about five minutes - typically when they are sleeping.
Despite being repeatedly told that his product was being used to spy on others without consent, Fleming continued to provide technical support and even created ready-made banner ads with phrases like "pcTattletale Cheating Husband? #1 catch a cheater spy tracker." He also noted that the app was more successful when marketed towards women.
In 2022, federal investigators raided Fleming's home in Bruce Township, Michigan, after obtaining a search warrant. The investigation targeted stalkerware companies, including pcTattletale, which were using their products to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications without consent.
Fleming was eventually charged with selling a product knowing or having reason to know it was primarily used for surreptitious interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications. He pled guilty in California court this week and is awaiting sentencing while released on his own recognizance.
The case highlights the dangers of stalkerware and spyware apps that are designed to secretly monitor individuals without their consent. While such tools may be marketed as legitimate solutions for parents or employers, they can have devastating consequences when used for malicious purposes.
this is so wild how Fleming was making a killing off people's private lives like he didn't even care that his product was being used to mess with people's relationships and personal boundaries 
it's crazy how the black market took over his "intended" use case for parents and employers... meanwhile, innocent people are still getting hurt by this stuff 
what's next? is there no accountability for these companies?! 
meanwhile he knew full well people were using it to stalk and harass others. It's so messed up! 
I'm not surprised but still bummed that this guy got away with it for so long 
. I mean, come on, it's like he knew his product was being used to spy on people without consent and he just went along with it 
. Anyway, glad he finally got caught and is facing consequences 
. It's a reminder that we need stricter laws around these kinds of apps and tools 
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"The best way to guarantee a loss is to expect one." You gotta wonder how Bryan Fleming thought selling spyware was a good idea in the first place 
. These apps are like digital Trojan horses, sneaking into people's lives without their knowledge or consent 
. It's a slippery slope, and now we've got a case to prove that stalkerware companies like pcTattletale can have serious consequences 
. I'm surprised the authorities didn't shut him down sooner. Stalkerware and spyware apps are a huge problem, and we need to be super careful about who we trust with our personal info 
. And the part that really gets me is that he was basically profiting off people's relationships and vulnerabilities 
. I mean, what's next? A dating app that allows you to track your partner's location without their consent? 
No thanks, just no 
. Anyways, I'm glad he's taking responsibility for his actions, but still super bummed that people got hurt because of him and his product 
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. No more spyware for me! 
. Bryan Fleming thought he was being all clever with his pcTattletale software, but really he was just enabling people to snoop on their partners without consent. And the worst part is, he's still trying to make money off it even after he knew it was being used for malicious purposes 
. And to make matters worse, he even helped facilitate it by providing technical support and marketing materials that encouraged women to use the tool against their partners 
. We need more awareness about the dangers of stalkerware and spyware apps! 
. Anyway, glad someone got caught and is facing consequences - hopefully he'll get a serious sentence for his role in enabling all this creepiness 
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