Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Your Cell Phone May Be Eavesdropping

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 6, 2009 7:52 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Be careful where you leave your cell phone. All it takes is a quick download—the equivalent of loading a ringtone—to install software that wiretaps your calls and even records ambient noise when the phone is unused. Experts say a surprising number of spouses, co-workers, and parents are using the spy-phone software, which more than 200 companies sell at prices from $50–$200, Benjamin Sutherland writes in Newsweek.

About 3% of US cell phones and up to 5% of phones in Europe are already tapped, private eye firms say. And smart phones like iPhones and Blackberrys, with their powerful processors, are ideal for the spy software. Security programs for phones exist, but few people think to install them. "If the spying keeps spreading, that may change soon," Sutherland writes.

Private eye firms say roughly 3% of US cell phones are infected with spy software that eavesdrops on conversations and even ambient noise when no call is being made.
Private eye firms say roughly 3% of US cell phones are infected with spy software that eavesdrops on conversations and even ambient noise when no call is being made.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
nadal2000
Sep 18, 2011 11:38 PM CDT
for iPhone, try to use OmegaSpy ? at here omegaspy.com or livespypro.com/
iphone5007
Jul 12, 2011 8:32 AM CDT
No need now to spend many dollars to spy a cell phone. Locate any cell phone anywhere in the world, function spy call is free. download the freeware COPY9 at www.spytic.com (Compatible Iphone, Ipad, android, symbian, window mobiles)
Guest
Jun 16, 2009 7:54 AM CDT
OMG, ROFL! Without fearful humans, where would my entertainment come from?

Spy software 'technically legal': police
KeyeTV.com

iPhone app monitors contacts, calls, location
I4U

Try the software yourself
FlexiSpy

 
cell phones • wiretap • spying • eavesdropping • smartphones • wiretapping

More Newser Stories

You Don't Want to Know What's on Your Cellphone

Wireless Devices Officially Outnumber People in US

33% of You Would Ditch Sex for Phones

Introducing the PaperPhone

Android World's No. 1 Smartphone Platform
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne