Jul 17, 2008 10:53 pm US/Eastern
Is Technology Going Too Far With Spy Phones?
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Most cell phone users make the assumption that their phone conversations are private. But that might not be the case.
New technology, called spy phones, allows people to track others' calls and even listen to what they say.
Several Internet companies offer software that can be downloaded onto another person's phone. Why? Among the promotions for this software: catch a cheating spouse, track your teenager, check up on your employees.
Once downloaded, you will get a text message whenever a call is made from that phone, telling you what number is being called. You will get a log on your computer of every call that goes out or comes into the phone, how long the calls last. You can even read the text messages sent and received. And in the case of a program called
Flexispy, you can call into the phone with the software and listen in on the conversation as it is happening.
"It's pretty scary," says Mort Rosenthal, the CEO of Enterprise Mobile in Watertown. He thinks the technology has gone too far, and believes it could be a hard problem to manage. It would require counter technology or government regulation.
Anyone thinking of using a spy phone needs to know it's illegal in Massachusetts and any other state that requires two-party consent to listen to or record communications like this.
"You can be sued and lose a lot of money. You could even go to jail if you interfere electronically with my communications," said Wendy Murphy, a former federal prosecutor.
Can you block it if you think it might be on your phone?
The Yankee Group's Andrew Jaquith says yes.
"There is security software that will detect the presence of these packages on your phone," he said.
At this point in time, the spy phones work only on a limited number of "smart phones" with Internet access. And you would have to have access to that phone so that you could download the software onto it.
Most people WBZ talked to think it's a very bad idea.
"I wouldn't want people to be listening to my conversation," one woman said. Another said he would be "creeped out" if he found out his phone was bugged.
Experts say when it comes to spying on teens, parental rights usually trump the rights of children and, therefore, it would be legal. Employers may have the right to use this technology if they own the phone and tell employees that the software is there.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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