MSpy is an application created to help parents monitor everything their children access and receive on mobile devices. The platform was created in 2011 for iOS and Android operating systems, such as iPhone and phones with Google system, for example. It currently serves more than 1 million registered users worldwide. In addition, it was also incorporated by companies that wish to follow the actions of their employees on corporate cell phones and tablets.
The system can be polemic due to the discrete installation and if it is used for a purpose other than that proposed. In the following list, prepared by dnetc, check out the main doubts about mSpy. See how it works, security policies and whether the use is legal.
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mSpy was created to help parents, but it was also used by corporate organizations Photo: Reproduo / Mirella Stivani
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MSpy was created with the exclusive proposal to help parents monitor their children. However, due to its precision in providing different types of data, it was also adopted by companies with the justification of protecting confidential data and maintaining the productivity of its employees.
mSpy is an app that promises to monitor the user's cell phone Photo: Reproduo / Mirella Stivani
Among the different functions of mSpy are sending information via text and SMS messages carried out on the device; calls made and received, GPS coordinates; browser history reports; GPS tracking and Wi-Fi points; saved files, including text and images and email records. It is also possible to block phone calls and access certain websites and applications.
The type of service varies depending on the subscription chosen. The software is installed on mobile devices, but the checking of the tracked information can also be done on computers.
As soon as the mSpy is installed on the PC or smartphone, it collects all data from the device in real time and sends it to a control panel, which can be viewed in any browser, such as Google Chrome and Firefox. Only the person responsible for signing the software receives the password and login to open the panel and consult the information.
When downloading mSpy, I need to confirm the intention to use this service legally, that is, the information collected cannot be passed on to third parties. In the case of companies, the employee needs to be aware and accept the monitoring, since there is no icon or warning on the device indicating the installation of the application.
Does the app work anywhere / device?
MSpy works on both Android and iOS devices, the most popular on the market Photo: Reproduo / Mirella Stivani
MSpy is compatible with all telephone operators in the world. To track information and send to the subscriber's control panel, the device's Internet needs to be active. As for the operating system, mSpy works on Android devices from version 4+; on iOS, the requirement includes iOS 7 – 8.4 updates; 9.0 – 9.1 with Jailbreak or iOS 7 – 11+ without Jailbreak.
What are the main points of the privacy policy?
Those who subscribe to the mSpy service must provide the software company with a series of personal data, such as name and email, in addition to accepting the rules imposed by the application. Identity verification would be a way of providing personalized customer service and assistance, as well as a way of checking how and what the data collected is used for.
System rules state that it is strictly forbidden to provide mSpy login and password to other people, as the use is restricted to the subscriber only. Likewise, it is illegal to forward the information collected on the devices tracked by the application. MSpy's complete privacy policy can be found on the tool's website (https://www.mspy.br/privacy-policy.html).
Parents use the mSpy app to monitor their children's activities Photo: Reproduo / Mirella Stivani
The use of mSpy is legal, but whoever contracts the service needs to follow some rules. The application must be used by parents who wish to monitor their underage children in order to ensure the safety of the little ones by preventing them from coming into contact with strangers or inappropriate websites.
If any company wants to monitor the mobile devices owned by it, the employee must be aware of this and accept the privacy conditions described by the tool. The application cannot be installed on mobile phones or tablets for the employee's personal use. The information collected cannot be passed on, let alone sold to third parties. In these cases, the use becomes illegal and legal proceedings are required according to the specifications of the Law.
On its official website, mSpy guarantees that it is very secure and all information is only available to subscribers of the service. However, in September this year, the company confirmed the leak of millions of data, including those who purchased the software, such as iCloud usernames and device authentication tokens that run on the app.
Three years ago, in 2015, mSpy had already suffered from security breaches, which allowed access to sensitive data from the scanned devices. Therefore, like any software, the tool is at risk of break-ins and has shown itself to be vulnerable to cyber attacks. This is a factor that should be considered by those interested in obtaining the possibilities of the tool.
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