Spyware Maker pcTattletale Founder Pleads Guilty to Hacking and Selling Software
The founder of pcTattletale admitted guilt in federal court for hacking and selling spyware that let people spy on others without consent.
Bruce Township: The founder of a spyware company, pcTattletale, pleaded guilty in a federal court for illegal activities. Bryan Fleming, who started this company, accepted charges of computer hacking and selling surveillance software that let customers spy on people secretly. This plea happened in San Diego on Tuesday.
The investigation started in 2021 when Homeland Security Investigations, or HSI, looked into pcTattletale as part of a larger inquiry into stalkerware products. This is the first time in ten years that a stalkerware operator was successfully prosecuted in the U.S. Earlier, in 2014, another operator of a similar app, StealthGenie, pleaded guilty. Fleming’s case might lead to more investigations into other spyware operators and sellers.
pcTattletale allowed buyers to track the phones and computers of their partners without their knowledge. This practice is illegal in the U.S. and many other countries. Once the spyware was installed on a phone or computer, it collected data like messages and locations, sending it to pcTattletale servers.
Fleming shut down his business in 2024 after a data breach. Hackers stole customer information and left the company’s website unusable. Over 138,000 customers were affected by this breach. Fleming claimed his company was finished after deleting all data from its servers.
However, before the shutdown, federal agents had already started investigating him for selling spyware. HSI found many stalkerware websites and discovered that pcTattletale targeted people who wanted to spy on their spouses. Fleming was not hiding; he openly promoted his product online and even shared videos about it. This caught the eye of investigators.
HSI obtained warrants to search Fleming’s email and home. Evidence showed he helped customers spy on people without their consent. An agent even pretended to market the spyware to gather more information. By November 2022, agents raided Fleming’s home and seized numerous items.
Many people see Fleming’s guilty plea as a victory for those fighting against stalkerware. Privacy advocates hope this case will change how such companies operate, making them think twice before selling these harmful products. Fleming will be sentenced later this year.
If you or anyone you know is facing domestic abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. It’s a free service for those needing help. You can also find resources for spyware concerns at the Coalition Against Stalkerware.