In a significant legal development, Bryan Fleming, the founder of the spyware company pcTattletale, has pled guilty to multiple federal charges, including computer hacking and conspiracy. This resolution marks the first successful U.S. federal prosecution of a stalkerware operator in over a decade, highlighting a renewed focus on the regulation of surveillance software.
The guilty plea was entered in a federal court in San Diego on Tuesday, following an extensive investigation initiated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in mid-2021. HSI's inquiry is part of a broader examination of the consumer-grade surveillance software industry, often referred to as “stalkerware.” The investigation reveals that pcTattletale was operational since at least 2016, providing tools that allowed users to secretly monitor individuals’ personal data.
Fleming's actions facilitated the illegal tracking of unsuspecting individuals, including romantic partners, by enabling users to access private information without consent. Following a data breach in 2024, which compromised sensitive data and led to the shutdown of pcTattletale, Fleming's conviction may lead to further federal scrutiny of others involved in similar activities.