Spy vs spy: iPhone spyware goes on sale

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 18 December 2008 07:54

IT Industry - Market

Retina-X does insist that "Our software is not for use on a phone you do not own or have proper permission to monitor from the user or owner. You must always follow all applicable laws and regulations in your region."

Well, that's all right then, isn't it?

"The iPhone has quickly become the most dominant smartphone all over the world," said Retina-X CEO James Johns.

"Before now there was no method to monitor activities of children or employees on the iPhone. Being the first to develop this technology, we will continue expanding with new features for this tool."

While I can see there may be legitimate uses for this kind of product when one person is paying the bill for another's use, the fact that it is designed to be stealthy should set off alarm bells.

If Mobile Spy's purpose was to log the activity of a properly advised user, it would be appropriate for its presence to be clearly visible as a reminder that it's there.

The reference to "total stealth mode" tells me it is really meant for clandestine activities.

Spy vs spy? Welcome to the iPhone - and yes, no matter what Alfred E. Neuman says, you should be worried.