Family on the Phone

I’ve talked in previous posts about using the latest technology to keep track of your loved ones carrying their cell phones.

With GPS installed in a cell phone, you can track the person using it. This is great for kids; but what about those who want to go a step further than simple GPS? Or, what if you are wanting to use GPS or something else to track your spouse?

I did a Google search with the keywords Cell Phone Spying and got over two million results. I narrowed that down by adding the keyword cheating and got 280,000 results. Is this for real? Unfortunately it is. What’s available includes Software and Hardware.

There is a piece of equipment called The Cell Phone Spy that looks similar to an external memory stick with a usb port. This device allows you to read information off a SIM card from anyone’s phone. It can even read deleted text messages. It also can read anything on the SIM card such as previous numbers dialed and contact information. If it is still on the SIM card and has not been overwritten, then it is retrievable.

This little spying device’s cost? Around $149. However, I found a similar reader on Amazon for six dollars! It is promoted as a device for backing up your phone or for personal use, not spying, although that is why I put in to search.

You can also get software which is uploaded to the phone and enables even more extensive spying. This company has software for any Windows Mobile based phone. It records both incoming and outgoing calls and text messages (even the deleted ones). The software runs from $49 dollars to much much more.

Beware that spying on someone’s cell phone is usually only legal on someone else’s phone if you have their permission. If you own the phone, you are usually within your rights. Now, I’m not sure how good this is since if it was your phone why would you spy on it? It seems it is the kid’s or spouse’s phones you do that with. In that case, then it’s illegal and you CAN be prosecuted.

So I guess the question really is, how badly do you need or want to know this information? Is your teenager acting really suspicious and are you worried about their well-being? Do you suspect your spouse/lover of cheating? Would it be worth it to find out the possible truth?

If you really insist on doing this spying, check with the laws in your state first. Also, remember keeping the communication lines open should be your first resort, not your last. Just my .02.

photo credit: ydhsu

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