mSpy

mSpy was launched as a product for mobile monitoring by Altercon Group in 2010.

In 2012, the application allowed parents to monitor not only smartphones but also computers running Windows and macOS.

In 2013, mSpy became TopTenReviews cell phone monitoring software award winner.{{Cite web |date= |title=Cell Phone Monitoring Software Review 2013 |url=http://cell-phone-monitoring-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211113350/http://cell-phone-monitoring-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ |archive-date=2013-02-11 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=TopTenREVIEWS}}

By 2014, the business grew nearly 400%, and the app's user numbers exceeded the 1 million mark.Ong, Josh (November 28, 2013). [https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/11/28/mspy-terrifying-app-spying-another-smartphone-tablet-user/ "mSpy: A terrifying app for spying on another smartphone or tablet user."] Thenextweb.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.

In 2015, mSpy received the Parents Tested Parents Approved (PTPA) Winner’s Seal of Approval in the United States.{{Cite web |date= |title=mSpy Got PTPA Winner’s Seal of Approval |url=http://www.top10spysoftware.com/mspy-got-ptpa-winners-seal-of-approval |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325182931/http://www.top10spysoftware.com/mspy-got-ptpa-winners-seal-of-approval |archive-date=2015-03-25 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Cell Phone Spy Software Reviews}} In 2015 and 2018, mSpy was the victim of data breaches which released user data.{{Cite web|title=Another mSpy leak exposed millions of sensitive user records|url=https://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/news/252448327/Another-mSpy-leak-exposed-millions-of-sensitive-user-records|access-date=2021-06-17|website=SearchSecurity|language=en}}

In 2016, mLite, a light version of mSpy, became available from Google Play. The same year, it was awarded the kidSAFE Certified Seal in the United States.{{Cite web |date= |title=mSpy Parental Monitoring Tool is certified by the kidSAFE Seal Program |url=http://www.kidsafeseal.com/certifiedproducts/mspy_app.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227013834/http://www.kidsafeseal.com/certifiedproducts/mspy_app.html |archive-date=2017-02-27 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=kidsafeseal.com}}

In 2017, mSpy collaborated with YouTuber and journalist Coby Persin to conduct a social experiment on the dangers of social media and online predators.{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Rishabh |date=2017-11-16 |title=Netgear Routers To Get Inbuilt Parental Controls |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/netgear-routers-will-have-inbuilt-parental-controls-software-update-2615461 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=International Business Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-07-18 |title=Comment surveiller l’activité en ligne de vos enfants du bureau ? |url=https://www.dynamique-mag.com/article/comment-surveiller-l-activite-en-ligne-de-vos-enfants-du-bureau.10663 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Dynamique-Mag.com |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |last=Soluri |first=Theodore |date=2017-11-15 |title=Why Should I Monitor My Daughter's Online Activity? |url=https://goodmenproject.com/families/monitor-daughters-online-activity-spnsr/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=The Good Men Project |language=en-US}} A social experiment, conducted with parental consent, involved Coby Persin to befriend three children—aged 12, 13, and 14—via Snapchat and then invite them to meet personally. Each of the participants agreed to the meeting and arrived at the designated location. The video of the experiment received widespread attention and helped to raise awareness about the importance of online security and parental controls.{{Cite web |date=2015-08-17 |title=The Dangers Of Social Media Shown In Social Experiment Video |url=https://irishtechnews.ie/the-dangers-of-social-media-shown-in-social-experiment-video/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Irish Tech News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2015-08-20 |title=The real parenting lessons of the ‘Child Predator Social Experiment’ |url=https://fox2now.com/am-show/stl-moms/the-real-parenting-lessons-of-the-child-predator-social-experiment/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=fox2now.com}}{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Kelly |date=August 21, 2015 |title=The real parenting lessons of 'Child Predator Social Experiment' |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/36051387/the-real-parenting-lessons-of-child-predator-social-experiment |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Kelly |date=2015-08-20 |title=The real parenting lessons of the ‘Child Predator Social Experiment’ |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/20/health/child-predator-video-parenting-lessons/index.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg-LhgZLB8M |title=The Dangers Of Snapchat (Child Predator Experiment) |date=2017-11-13 |last=Coby Persin |access-date=2025-05-07 |via=YouTube}}

In early 2021, mSpy released a new feature - Screenrecorder. The feature allows parents to take screenshots of the kid's screen when they are browsing certain apps.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Mike |date=2021-09-21 |title=mSpy parental control software review |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/mspy-parental-control-software |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}

In 2024, mSpy's Zendesk was compromised by an unknown threat actor, revealing their customer list.{{Cite web |last=Whittaker |first=Zack |date=2024-07-11 |title=Data breach exposes millions of mSpy spyware customers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/11/mspy-spyware-millions-customers-data-breach/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

As of 2025, mSpy is compatible with Android, iPhone, and iPad devices. It provides access to various types of data stored on the device, including contact information, calendar entries, emails, SMS messages, browser history, photos, videos, and installed applications. Functions also include GPS tracking, geofencing, keyword alerts etc.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=mSpy Review mSpy Review 2025 & Top Alternatives |url=https://cybernews.com/best-parental-control-apps/mspy-review/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Cybernews |language=en-US}}

It was noted that since MSpy runs inconspicuously, there is risk of the software being used illegally. mSpy was called "terrifying" by The Next Web{{cite web|author=Josh Ong |url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/11/28/mspy-terrifying-app-spying-another-smartphone-tablet-user/ |title=mSpy: A Terrifying App for Spying on Another Smartphone User |publisher=Thenextweb.com |date=2013-11-28 |accessdate=2015-11-08}} and was featured in NPR coverage of spyware used against victims of stalking and other domestic violence.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/09/15/346149979/smartphones-are-used-to-stalk-control-domestic-abuse-victims |title=Smartphones Are Used To Stalk, Control Domestic Abuse Victims : All Tech Considered |publisher=NPR |date=2014-09-15 |accessdate=2015-11-08}} In response mSpy released security updates aimed at reducing the risk of misuse and stated that it "uses encryption protocols to protect user data and that access is restricted to the account holder".

In May 2015, Brian Krebs reported that mSpy was hacked, leaking personal data for hundreds of thousands of users of devices with mSpy installed.{{cite web|url=http://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/05/mobile-spy-software-maker-mspy-hacked-customer-data-leaked/ |title=Mobile Spyware Maker mSpy Hacked, Customer Data Leaked — Krebs on Security |publisher=Krebsonsecurity.com |date=2015-05-14 |accessdate=2015-11-08}} mSpy claimed that there was no data leak, but that instead, it was the victim of blackmailers.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

In September 2018, Krebs claimed and demonstrated that anyone could easily gain access to the mSpy database containing data for millions of users.{{cite web|url=https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/09/for-2nd-time-in-3-years-mobile-spyware-maker-mspy-leaks-millions-of-sensitive-records/ |title=For 2nd Time in 3 Years, Mobile Spyware Maker mSpy Leaks Millions of Sensitive Records — Krebs on Security |publisher=Krebsonsecurity.com |date=2018-09-04 |accessdate=2018-09-04}} The company responded by stating that the exposed data consisted primarily of error logs and incorrect login attempts. Following the incident, mSpy implemented new security measures, changed encryption keys, and reset passwords for affected accounts.{{Cite web |title=The Ukrainian company mSpy producing smartphone tracking software disposed user data in free access - AIN |url=https://en.ain.ua/2018/10/15/ukrainian-company-disposed-userdata-in-free-access/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=en.ain.ua |language=en}}

A 2024 Sky News story characterised mSpy as "stalkerware".{{Cite web |title='I thought I'd been microchipped': How abusers spy on partners with 'parental control' apps |url=https://news.sky.com/story/i-thought-id-been-microchipped-how-abusers-spy-on-partners-with-parental-control-apps-13272199 |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Sky News |language=en}}

Leaked customer support messages from mSpy reveal misuse of its app for illegally monitoring partners and children.{{Cite web |last=Köver |first=Chris |last2=Schwarzbeck |first2=Martin |date=2025-01-27 |title=mSpy-Leak: Vom Partner verwanzt |url=https://netzpolitik.org/2025/mspy-leak-vom-partner-verwanzt/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=netzpolitik.org |language=de-DE}}

• Parental controls
• Spyware
• Life360

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://www.mspy.com}}

Category:2011 establishments in England

Category:Mobile technology companies

Category:Mobile applications

Category:Stalkerware