Bryan Fleming, the creator of pcTattletale, a software program designed for monitoring computer and phone activity, pleaded guilty in federal court this week to developing and marketing the software for the purpose of spying on adults without their consent. Launched nearly 25 years ago, pcTattletale recorded all activity on a target device, uploading videos to a server accessible to subscribers.
While the software's website once outlined use cases such as parents monitoring children and employers tracking employees, Fleming admitted the program was frequently used to monitor romantic partners without their knowledge. These applications are illegal under federal law.
pcTattletale, according to its website, had been used by tens of thousands of parents to prevent their daughters from meeting with pedophiles, and by businesses to track productivity, theft, and lost hours. Even police departments reportedly used the software for investigations. The legality of such monitoring hinges on consent or, in the case of minors, parental authority.
The case highlights the legal complexities surrounding spyware and monitoring software. While such tools can be legitimate when used for purposes like parental control or employee monitoring with consent, their use for surreptitious surveillance of adults is illegal and carries significant legal risk. The plea serves as a warning to developers and users of such software about the potential legal ramifications of violating privacy laws. The specific charges and potential penalties Fleming faces were not immediately available.
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