WebWatcher
{{Short description|Surveillance software}}
{{Infobox software
| name = WebWatcher
| logo = webwatcher-logo.png
| developer = Awareness Technologies
| latest release version = 8.2.37.1168 (PC){{cite web|title=WebWatcher Downloads|url=http://download.cnet.com/WebWatcher/3000-2162_4-75621928.html|accessdate=1 May 2014}}
2.0.27.142 (MAC){{cite web|title=CNET WebWatcher for Mac|url=http://download.cnet.com/WebWatcher/3000-2162_4-76016133.html|accessdate=1 May 2014}}
3.6 (Android)
| operating_system = *Android 4.0 and up.
- iOS version 6.0 and up.
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 10
- macOS
- ChromeOS
| genre = Computer monitoring
| license = Proprietary commercial software
| website = {{URL|http://www.webwatcher.com}}
}}
WebWatcher is a proprietary computer and mobile device monitoring software developed by Awareness Technologies.{{cite web |last=Rubenking |first=Neil | title = WebWatcher Review & Rating | url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385748,00.asp | work = pcmag.com| accessdate = April 19, 2014}} WebWatcher is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, ChromeOS and macOS operating systems. WebWatcher Mobile records text messages, call logs, web history, photos, and GPS. WebWatcher for PC and Mac features include email & Instant Message monitoring, keystroke logging, web content filtering and monitoring, and screenshot monitoring.{{cite news|last=Norbury |first=Keith| title = The case against Big Brother at work| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/human-resources/the-case-against-big-brother-at-work/article4260681/| work = theglobeandmail.com|date=13 April 2011| accessdate = April 19, 2014}} Critics have referred to WebWatcher and other similar pieces of software as "stalkerware".
History
WebWatcher was developed in 2002 initially for uses of counter-terrorism for Windows PCs.{{cite web|last=Cohan|first=Peter|title=Awareness Technologies Spies on Workers, Teens |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2011/11/01/awareness-technologies-spies-on-workers-teens/|work=Forbes.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}} The software is now used predominantly by parents to monitor their children's online activities and by employers to monitor the activities of their workers.{{cite web| title = 4 services for monitoring your kid's online activities| url = http://www.dailynews.com/lifestyle/20131108/4-services-for-monitoring-your-kids-online-activities| work = dailynews.com| date = 8 November 2013| accessdate = May 1, 2014}} In 2010, a version of the software was released for BlackBerry and Android devices. In 2012, WebWatcher for Mac was released. WebWatcher for iOS was released in 2014.
Reception and criticism
WebWatcher received the PC Magazine editors' choice award in a 2011 review of Parental Control & Monitoring software. In the article, WebWatcher was referred to as "Heavy-handed" saying: "if you find it necessary to track a child who's engaging in risky activities, WebWatcher will record every detail and even send you instant notification when it encounters certain words." Also, About.com readers named WebWatcher as the "Best Internet Safety Tool" as part of its 2011 Readers' Choice Awards.{{cite web| title = WebWatcher Named 'Best Internet Safety Tool' by About.com Readers | url = http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/2016678/webwatcher_named_best_internet_safety_tool_by_aboutcom_readers/| accessdate = April 19, 2014}}
Critics have noted that since the software runs stealth on a device, there is an opportunity for the software to be installed illegally.{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Kate| title = NSA-Style Surveillance for Parents Looking to Monitor their Kids|website=Fox Business| url = http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/06/21/spying-on-your-kids-online/| accessdate = May 2, 2014}} In 2020, TechCrunch and other media outlets described WebWatcher as "stalkerware".{{Cite web|title='Stalkerware' phone spying apps have escaped Google's ad ban|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/11/stalkerware-apps-google-ads/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=TechCrunch|date=11 August 2020 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-08-15|title=Banned stalkerware apps keep appearing on Google search results|url=https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/stalkerware-apps-could-be-watching-you/749837/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Komando.com|language=en-US}} Shortly thereafter, Google removed advertisements for WebWatcher from its search results.