FTC Warns Consumers About Stalking Apps

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today alerted consumers about the risk of mobile spyware that surreptitiously "stalks" smartphone users, snooping on call history, text messages, photos, GPS location, and browsing history.

The warning comes the heels of the FTC's settlement this week with app firm Retina-X Studios LLC, which sold apps called MobileSpy, PhoneSheriff, and TeenShield that could be used as "stalking apps" or "stalkerware," the agency said. The FTC said Retina-X failed to ensure that buyers of the apps were deploying them legitimately. 

Consumers who suspect that their phones infested with stalkerware should check if the phone is jailbroken; either remove the spyware by executing a factory reset or replace the device altogether; and contact law enforcement, which can detect spyware on the device.

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