"FTC Slams Permanent Ban on Stalkerware Founder"

FTC Upholds Permanent Ban on Stalkerware Founder Scott Zuckerman The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reaffirmed its decision to permanently ban Scott Zuckerman, the founder of stalkerware companies Support King, SpyFone, and OneClickMonitor, from selling surveillance software. According to a press release issued by the FTC on Monday, the ban was upheld in response to a July petition filed by Zuckerman, which sought to rescind or modify the ban order imposed in 2021. The ban, which prohibits Zuckerman from offering or promoting any surveillance app or service, was initially imposed due to a data breach that exposed sensitive information of customers and the people they were spying on. The breach, which occurred in the past, led to a significant backlash against Zuckerman's companies, with many critics accusing them of promoting invasive and potentially harmful software. In 2021, the FTC banned Zuckerman from offering, promoting, selling, or advertising any surveillance app, service, or business, effectively preventing him from running a stalkerware business. The ban was seen as a major victory for consumer advocates and privacy experts, who had long criticized Zuckerman's companies for their role in facilitating stalking and other forms of harassment. According to a report by TechCrunch, Zuckerman's companies had been accused of selling software that allowed users to secretly monitor their partners, children, and employees. The software, which was marketed as a tool for parents and employers to monitor their loved ones or employees, was often used for malicious purposes, including stalking and harassment. The FTC's decision to uphold the ban is a significant blow to Zuckerman's efforts to revive his stalkerware business. "The FTC's decision ensures that Zuckerman will not be able to revive his stalkerware business and continue to profit from the suffering of others," said a spokesperson for the FTC. "We will continue to take action against companies that prioritize profits over people's safety and well-being." The ban on Zuckerman's companies is part of a broader effort by the FTC to crack down on stalkerware and other forms of invasive surveillance software. In recent years, the FTC has taken action against several companies that sell stalkerware, including Support King and its subsidiaries SpyFone and OneClickMonitor. As the FTC continues to monitor the surveillance software industry, experts say that the ban on Zuckerman's companies is a significant step forward in protecting consumers from invasive and potentially harmful software. "The FTC's decision is a major victory for consumer advocates and privacy experts, who have long criticized the stalkerware industry for its lack of transparency and accountability," said a spokesperson for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates for digital rights and online privacy. In a statement, the FTC emphasized that its decision to uphold the ban is a clear message to companies that prioritize profits over people's safety and well-being. "The FTC will continue to take action against companies that engage in deceptive and unfair practices, including the sale of stalkerware and other forms of invasive surveillance software," said the spokesperson. The current status of Zuckerman's companies is unclear, but it is likely that the ban will have significant financial and reputational consequences for the companies. As the FTC continues to monitor the surveillance software industry, experts say that the ban on Zuckerman's companies is a significant step forward in protecting consumers from invasive and potentially harmful software.