'Stalkerware' Phone Spying Apps Have Escaped Google's Ad Ban (techcrunch.com) 25
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Several companies offering phone-spying apps -- known as "stalkerware" -- are still advertising in Google search results, despite the search giant's ban that took effect today, TechCrunch has found. These controversial apps are often pitched to help parents snoop on their child's calls, messages, apps and other private data under the guise of helping to protect against online predators. But some repurpose these apps to spy on their spouses -- often without their permission. It's a problem that the wider tech industry has worked to tackle. Security firms and antivirus makers are working to combat the rise of stalkerware, and federal authorities have taken action when app makers have violated the law.
One of the biggest actions to date came last month when Google announced an updated ads policy, effectively banning companies from advertising phone-snooping apps "with the express purpose of tracking or monitoring another person or their activities without their authorization." Google gave these companies until August 11 to remove these ads. But TechCrunch found seven companies known to provide stalkerware -- including FlexiSpy, mSpy, WebWatcher and KidsGuard -- were still advertising in Google search results after the ban took effect. Google did not say explicitly say if the stalkerware apps violated its policy, but told TechCrunch that it removed ads for WebWatcher. Despite the deadline, Google said that enforcement is not always immediate. "We recently updated our policies to prohibit ads promoting spyware for partner surveillance while still allowing ads for technology that helps parents monitor their underage children," said a Google spokesperson. "To prevent deceitful actors who try to disguise the product's intent and evade our enforcement, we look at several signals like the ad text, creative and landing page, among others, for policy compliance. When we find that an ad or advertiser is violating our policies, we take immediate action."
One of the biggest actions to date came last month when Google announced an updated ads policy, effectively banning companies from advertising phone-snooping apps "with the express purpose of tracking or monitoring another person or their activities without their authorization." Google gave these companies until August 11 to remove these ads. But TechCrunch found seven companies known to provide stalkerware -- including FlexiSpy, mSpy, WebWatcher and KidsGuard -- were still advertising in Google search results after the ban took effect. Google did not say explicitly say if the stalkerware apps violated its policy, but told TechCrunch that it removed ads for WebWatcher. Despite the deadline, Google said that enforcement is not always immediate. "We recently updated our policies to prohibit ads promoting spyware for partner surveillance while still allowing ads for technology that helps parents monitor their underage children," said a Google spokesperson. "To prevent deceitful actors who try to disguise the product's intent and evade our enforcement, we look at several signals like the ad text, creative and landing page, among others, for policy compliance. When we find that an ad or advertiser is violating our policies, we take immediate action."
In Soviet valley... (Score:1)
Google tracks and monitors YOU!
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
only valid for 7 years
Because humans evolved in a time when it was only necessary to provide support for offspring until they were able to contribute some on their own. So relationships only lasted for this amount of time. Beyond this, support from an extended tribe was healthier for the children. So rather than forcing couples into permanent relationships where they would become bored and resentful (often toward the children), they were able to refresh their sex lives with new relationships [wikipedia.org]. Long term marriages only became a th
Re: (Score:2)
7 year itch? Don't be a fool, wrap your tool.
The answer is yes (from a private investigator) (Score:4, Informative)
I'll tell you the same thing I told potential clients when I was working as a private investigator. I'd get "cheating spouse", or even worse "cheating bf/gf" calls, from people who wanted to know if the trust had been broken in the relationship. The answer is yes.
If you secretly install spyware on your spouse's phone, yes the trust has been broken in the relationship. Yes, your relationship is in trouble.
If you're spying on your spouse, you need marriage counseling - today, not spyware or a PI. We already know things are fucked up. You don't need to hire me to find out if they are fucked up or not. Yes, they are fucked up.
There are secular counselors, and any large church near you probably has a pastor or counselor who specializes in relationship counseling. The pastor / church counselor probably won't charge you anything if you decide to go that route. Secular counselors are often expensive, but what is your marriage worth to you?
If you're spying on your boyfriend or girlfriend, you have some powerful emotions and fears to deal with. You need to first seek out some individual counseling. That may turn into couples counseling or it might not. Either way, you've got some difficult stuff to deal with and should get some assistance dealing with it.
The answer is yes, yes things ARE fucked up. The next step is to unfuck the situation.
Re: (Score:2)
when I was working as a private investigator
It's clear why you're no longer in the field.
Lol. Really turning away work makes alot of money (Score:2)
That's funny!
On a more serious note, in all of my businesses and jobs E never had a problem telling a client "I don't recommend spending money on this. You'd have to pay me $1,200 amd it's not worth it". The effect of that seems to be that later, when I tell them "this is the best choice for you - it costs $4,500 but it's worth it", they trust me.
Google Hates Competition (Score:5, Insightful)
Of course Google hates stalkerware, Googles whole modus operandi is stalkerware and even worse, not only spying on everything you do and everywhere you go but constantly bombarding you with psychological manipulations to control you, to force your choices to be they way they want them to be. The Googlites the religious zealots of mass consumption, always demanding you buy, more, More, MORE.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I get a lot of free stuff from Google so I don't mind if they make some revenue off my data. But if I had to buy a subscription to use Google Maps, I'd be upset if they were tracking where I shop.
Slashdot Spying On You Too (Score:2)
Blocked on this page
7 or 14%
Domains connected
8 out of 12
If you don't want spied on then find another hobby.
have a good life (Score:1, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
have a good life and stfu. Stop whining about people having phones. Does your whining help to feed africa? no? then you're not worth listening to.
Re: (Score:3)
and get rid of that phone. even 'dumb' phones are tracking. enjoy your life, start gardening and feed yourself. phone users are a pest.
anyone and anything that's -really- important can turn up at your address. all else is fluff. working from home, using your 'smart'phone:
what exactly are you working on in the first place? some paperwork bullshit? does it help to feed africa? no? then you're not worth
listenig to. you get one of those phones then you made a choice. stop whinging and complaining afterwards - your greed got you here.
In other words, "be a sanctimonious prick like me".
Re: (Score:2)
I hope your head injury gets better and you regain some of your cognitive skills.
Hahaha the jokes on them. (Score:1)
I have a landline. They never know where I'm at or who I call. Suckers!
Wait...
You can't do that. (Score:2)
"We recently updated our policies to prohibit ads promoting spyware for partner surveillance while still allowing ads for technology that helps parents monitor their underage children,"
To the viewer with just two brain cells to rub together, it's obvious that technology which can monitor underage children can also monitor partners. All you have to do is treat them like a child, which is what people are doing when they are spying on their partner anyway.
Yes, and monitoring vs spying are different (Score:2)
> All you have to do is treat them like a child, which is what people are doing when they are spying on their partner anyway.
That's sure true, and well put.
> it's obvious that technology which can monitor underage children can also monitor partners.
There is a difference between monitoring and spying. My six year KNOWS that when she wants to go to a new web site, she has to click the "ask permission" button and a notification will pop up on Dad's phone asking if that site is okay. She KNOWS that when
Re: (Score:2)
Yes... So long as there is an exception it WILL be abused.
If being able to monitor kids is so important: what they should do is impose a requirement that in order to be able to advertise their app for monitoring children or employees.. the app MUST be fully audited and vetted by an independent organization and attested to meet some standards – one of those standards should be that the application or tool SHALL and MUST either permanently or through periodic notifications which cannot be disabled p
Lack of trust in relationships (Score:2)
Seems that the problem is that there is a lack of trust in the relationship. Regardless of whether you are monitoring children or your spouse, this kind of monitoring points to a very bad problem in the relationship. If you don't feel your kid is old/mature enough to handle a cell phone and internet access on their own, then don't get them a phone with internet access. They still sell simple flip phones if you feel the need to have a way to contact them. As far as your spouse goes, that kind of intrusion i
Re: (Score:2)
They still sell simple flip phones if you feel the need to have a way to contact them.
I can still remember how many children died back in the days before cell phones and 24x7 connectivity. It was horrible.