Michigan man learns the hard way that “catch a cheater” spyware apps aren’t legal

A Michigan man was recently charged with selling spyware intended to catch cheating partners without their consent, a stark reminder that using such apps is not only morally reprehensible but also illegal.

In 2002, Bryan Fleming co-created pcTattletale, a tool designed to monitor phone and computer usage. The software could record everything done on the target device and upload videos to a server where they could be viewed by the subscriber. Initially, the company marketed its product as a way for parents to monitor their children's online activities or for employers to track employee productivity.

However, Fleming's original business partner left the company in 2011, and Fleming continued to operate it from his home in Michigan. Over time, pcTattletale began marketing itself as a tool for catching cheating spouses, which required users to have access to their partner's phone for approximately five minutes when they were asleep.

The company also provided instructions on how to hide icons that might reveal its presence on the victim's phone. Marketing materials touted using the tool to "catch a cheater" and offered step-by-step guides on how to install the spyware without arousing suspicion.

Federal investigators in California launched an investigation into "stalkerware," including pcTattletale, which was revealed to be one of their targets. Fleming operated out of the US and failed to hide his location, making it easier for investigators to track him down.

The government eventually obtained a search warrant, raided Fleming's home, and seized his computer equipment. In 2024, TechCrunch reported that pcTattletale had been hacked, resulting in the data being leaked online.

Bryan Fleming pleaded guilty to selling spyware with the intention of intercepting wire communications without consent. His case serves as a stark reminder that using such apps is not only morally wrong but also illegal and punishable by law.

omg u no how frustrating it is when ppl r cheatin n ur face !! ths Bryan Fleming guy tho, he took spyware 2 a whole nuther level lol...i mean i get it, people wanna keep tabs on their partnerz, but cheating w/ out consent? dat's just low . and yea, marketing it as a "solution" 4 cheaters is so messed up. i dont think ppl realize how serious this stuff is . anywaa, glad he got caught & pleaded guilty . gotta keep remindin' us all that spyware & stalkerware r illegal & not cool

Ugh, great job on making those cheating spouses totally feel safe and secure . I mean, who wouldn't want to have their every move tracked down to the minute, courtesy of some creepy dude like Bryan Fleming? And yeah, because nothing says "healthy relationship" like a partner secretly spying on you while you're sleeping... zzz...

Ugh, can you believe this guy Bryan Fleming? He's basically a creep who thought it was okay to sell spyware to people so they could snoop on their partners without consent . I mean, come on, that's just low. And the worst part is, he marketed it as a way for parents to monitor their kids or employers to track employee productivity... yeah right, like no one would ever use it for those things .

And honestly, I'm surprised he got caught so easily. I mean, you'd think someone would be able to hide from the law better than Fleming did . And now his whole operation has been exposed and people are seeing just how messed up this stuff is .

It's crazy that this still happens in 2025. We should all be using these apps to monitor our own lives, not invading others' privacy . I mean, what's next? Paying someone to follow you around? . No thanks, I'll stick to my own devices and keep it private .

just heard about this pcTattletale dude getting caught for selling spyware to catch cheating partners... like what's next? selling apps to track your kid's online activity without even asking? we need more awareness about how these "parenting tools" can be used to control and manipulate people. also, a big lesson learned here - if you're gonna use spyware, do it for good (e.g., law enforcement) not for prying into others' lives.

just another example of how tech can be used to control and manipulate people's lives. I mean, who needs spyware when you have trust and open communication? it's wild that he thought hiding icons and using step-by-step guides would make the tool "undetectable"... like anyone wouldn't notice a software on their phone just because they're sleeping . anyway, glad he took the plea deal instead of making this whole thing worse

Ugh , I'm all about those retro vibes, but this Bryan Fleming dude takes the cake . Creating spyware to catch cheating partners? That's some shady stuff . I mean, I can get why he was doing it - his ex-girlfriend reported him for harassment and everything , but that doesn't justify selling out to the highest bidder .

I remember using pcTattletale back in the day , and it seemed like a harmless way to keep an eye on your significant other . But now I see it for what it was - a tool for control . And Fleming's whole operation? More like a twisted game of cat and mouse .

The thing is, this isn't just about Fleming; it's about the entire industry surrounding these stalkerware apps . We need to be more mindful of our online activities and protect ourselves from people who want to exploit that for their own gain . And let's not forget, there are consequences when you play with fire !

omg this guy Bryan Fleming is seriously gross how could he sell something that lets people spy on their partners without consent it's like, so invasive and manipulative i mean what if his ex partner had used pcTattletale to gather evidence against him? he'd be a victim too

and can you believe he just pleaded guilty to selling spyware without consent? the fact that he thought he could get away with this is wild. techcrunch reporting that pcTattletale was hacked and all that data leaked online... that's just crazy

Ugh I'm literally so done with people like Bryan Fleming who think they can exploit others for their own gain! He basically created this tool to prey on cheating spouses, preying on the vulnerable and playing on their insecurities . Like, what's next? Creating apps to monitor your partner's every move while you're asleep?! It's just sickening. And the worst part is that he knew exactly how to hide his tracks so well, making it super easy for investigators to catch him red-handed! I mean, come on Bryan, didn't you think about all the people who could be harmed by your actions? The poor partners who were going to be manipulated and controlled, the innocent kids whose parents were going to be lied to... It's just too much. And now that he's been caught, what's going to happen to him? Is he going to get a slap on the wrist or some serious jail time?!

The case of Bryan Fleming is a salient example of how technological surveillance can be misused for nefarious purposes, undermining trust and personal autonomy in relationships. His operation of pcTattletale, initially marketed as a tool for parents and employers, reveals the insidious potential for these apps to be repurposed for malicious ends – specifically, the exploitation of unsuspecting partners. The ease with which Fleming evaded detection, operating from his home in Michigan, highlights the need for stricter regulations on stalkerware. This incident serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and responsible use of technology to protect our most vulnerable relationships.

OMG u guys! I cant believe this guy Bryan was so bold (or stupid) as 2 sell spyware 2 catch his cheating partner like what if they got caught? what if it backfired on him?! and also can we talk abt how easily ppl r willing 2 use these apps 2 exploit & control others without their consent?! its just so wrong! u need 2 love ur partner, not spy on them 24/7

so this Bryan guy was making money off people's cheating spouses, which is already pretty shady, but I guess it gets worse when you think about the fact he's literally selling spyware to get into their phones... like, what even is that? and the craziest part is that his company marketed itself as a tool for parents or employers, which is just another layer of deception. I mean, can't we just have straight up honest conversations about our relationship drama instead of resorting to sneaky spyware? it's just a reminder that some people are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want, and it's not always pretty.

omg this guy Bryan Fleming is literally the WORST!!! i mean i know people can be stupid and fall for these scams but come on he's a full grown man selling spyware to catch cheating spouses its like something out of a bad movie his company pcTattletale was originally marketed as a legit tool for parents and employers but then just became this super creepy stalking software and now hes paying the price for it i feel bad for the victims who got hurt by these apps, at least Fleming is getting what's coming to him

I'm like totally bummed out about this Bryan Fleming dude... He made a ton of money off people's trust, just to exploit it for his own gain . I mean, who does that? It's so messed up that he sold spyware to catch cheating spouses without their consent. That's just not right, you know?

And what really gets me is that this stuff was marketed as a way for parents or employers to monitor stuff, but it ended up being used to spy on people's partners. Like, where does it end? It's crazy that he thought he could just operate from his home in Michigan and get away with it. The government finally caught up with him.

And yeah, the fact that pcTattletale got hacked and leaked data online is just a whole other level of messed up. I don't know, man... This case just shows how out of control some people can get when they think they can exploit others for their own gain .