4 ms·

You're being obtuse if you think this use-case wasn't a huge part of their thinking while designing the software and offering support to customers. >I asked a

by sigmar 9y ago

You're being obtuse if you think this use-case wasn't a huge part of their thinking while designing the software and offering support to customers. >I asked a FlexiSpy salesperson a simple question: If I wanted to, could I use their spyware to snoop on my wife's cellphone without her knowing? The answer each time was yes. When asked if it was legal, they responded with a canned disclaimer explaining it was necessary to get the permission of the target. But what if I didn't want my wife to know? They could help me anyway. https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2017/02/22/flexispy-malware-spy-on-spouse-illegal-wiretap-act-offences/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2017/02/22/flexi...

MichaelGG 9y ago
I have no doubt it is what they're selling. But the question is if the tool does something, then the marketing message shouldn't really be relevant. If a FlexiSpy clone comes along and is less direct about spouse-spying, and plays a stronger line of "you need authorization", then it's suddenly OK?
- sigmar 9y ago
  >the marketing message shouldn't really be relevant my point was that it isn't just marketing, this use-case was a huge part of their thinking while designing the software and offering support to customers. [repeating my comment almost verbatim] If a clone came along that wasn't designed so that it can be totally hidden while installed, then privacy advocates would be less angry.
- lmm 9y ago
  Many tools have legitimate and illegitimate uses. There is rarely a clear sharp line; we have to make a judgement as to whether a given tool does more harm than good, on the whole, and there are no shortcuts. IMO it's entirely right to weigh the marketing message in that balance; after all, the marketing will by design affect what kind of people buy the tool with what kind of intentions.

by sigmar 9y ago

MichaelGG 9y ago

I have no doubt it is what they're selling. But the question is if the tool does something, then the marketing message shouldn't really be relevant. If a FlexiSpy clone comes along and is less direct about spouse-spying, and plays a stronger line of "you need authorization", then it's suddenly OK?

sigmar 9y ago
>the marketing message shouldn't really be relevant my point was that it isn't just marketing, this use-case was a huge part of their thinking while designing the software and offering support to customers. [repeating my comment almost verbatim] If a clone came along that wasn't designed so that it can be totally hidden while installed, then privacy advocates would be less angry.
lmm 9y ago
Many tools have legitimate and illegitimate uses. There is rarely a clear sharp line; we have to make a judgement as to whether a given tool does more harm than good, on the whole, and there are no shortcuts. IMO it's entirely right to weigh the marketing message in that balance; after all, the marketing will by design affect what kind of people buy the tool with what kind of intentions.