When is it okay to spy on someone? It’s a tough ethical question, and recent technology developments have made it even tougher. I don’t have all the answers, so it is with caution that I mention Mobile Spy. As the name implies, it provides tracking services for many devices, and that now includes BlackBerry. If you have suspicions that someone close to you is acting inappropriately, you can install the software on his or her phone. It will reveal just about everything except recordings of voice calls. The question, of course, is of when this an acceptable action and when it is represents an ethical violation.
- Call logs. This includes incoming and outgoing calls. Mobile Spy records the phone numbers, durations of calls, and time stamps.
- Text messages. Even if the user deletes a text message immediately upon sending or receiving, Mobile Spy records the sender and recipient, the time, and the content of the message.
- GPS location. If the phone has a GPS unit, Mobile Spy will log location every 30 minutes.
The application is free when you sign up for a service plan. It costs $49.97 for three months, $69.97 for six months, and $99.97 for a year. You can find out more at Mobile Spy’s BlackBerry page. There are also links there with more legal information. I can see how this application is useful — very much so — but I cannot emphasize the ethical issues enough. Thankfully, Mobile Spy answers far more questions than I can.
8 comments… read them below or add one
This app sounds similar to BlackTrack. It is available here: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/2183
BlackTrack claims there is no server involved (other than the email servers your report might transit of course) and all “processing” takes place on the BlackBerry itself. It is promoted as a method to track activity for billing purposes (such as a lawyer or accountant might need) and is stated to be 100% free.
To my mind, the ethical issues are clear: covert tracking of someone without their permission is immoral and should be illegal. Only the police and similar agencies should be allowed to do this, having shown a need for it.
If an employer wishes to keep track of employees, he should be upfront about it and tell them the phone is bugged. Better still, the software on the phone should be visible and impossible to hide. Employees will then know to use their own phones for private business (which they should do in any case).
If someone stoops to checking on a spouse or partner in this way, then the relationship is doomed anyway because a negative result will never prove innocence, just that guilt has not yet been established. The person setting up the check has already decided that the victim is guilty.
Firms selling products like this are not amoral (“it depends how you use the equipment”); they are immoral. They are happy to foster suspicion and deceit for the purposes of making money.
Don’t stand on the fence here. Be honest and say this software is unethical and should not be used.
@ SilverTiger Very well though out comment – thank you for your input.
“Firms selling products like this are not amoral (”it depends how you use the equipment”); they are immoral. They are happy to foster suspicion and deceit for the purposes of making money.”
This is a staggeringly naive comment. I am sure that there are plenty of legitimate uses for this software – just because it is something that you do not approve doesn’t mean anything other than… you don’t like it.
Hello,
I have a Black Berry 7130g. I have unlocked the phone through web, because it was locked by Vodaphone.
Presently I am using Aircel sim in it.
Is there any software which is supported by Black Berry 7130g, which can record conversation automatically, which can be listen later on?
If yes than kindly please inform me on my email id.
With regards
@Usha Jaiswal
Unfortunately there is no software like that available on the BlackBerry at the moment.
such software seller should be send behind bars.
I dont think there will be a time that spying is OK! whatever the legal ethics it can do, invading someones privacy is not ok. how would you like your number to appear on mobile phone number search? most likely you would say no. If thats how blackberry offers to their client, I rather get another phone that doesn’t have it.