Bill seeks to ban ‘stalking apps’

Did you know that technology makes it feasible for someone to listen to your cell phone calls and read everything you send or receive electronically? So-called "stalking apps" are becoming very popular, and that's why one New Jersey lawmaker is pushing a bill to ban them in the Garden State. 

"A stalking app can be put into your cell phone without your knowledge. It then can pinpoint your location, follow you, read your emails, texts - anything you do on that phone the person would have access to," said state Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair). "It is also used as a bugging device. They can actually listen in on your conversations."

The legislation sponsored by Gill is far-reaching. It would amend the state's wiretap laws to make the installation and use of the apps illegal unless consent is given by all parties in any communication on the device. This means everyone who sends communications to or through the cell phone would also need to consent to allow these communications to be monitored.

"It's likely you wouldn't know the app is on your phone because it will not come up in your telephone as an app, so you will have absolutely no knowledge that an app has been installed," Gill explained.

If someone installs a stalking app it could not only put the victim in physical danger, it could also expose the victim and anyone they correspond with electronically to identity theft, according to Gill.

The stalking apps can be especially dangerous for domestic abuse victims, according to Gill, because their whereabouts can be tracked by their abusers.

Some might ask why this app is legal now.

"The companies sell them under the cover of allowing parents to track their children and many times that's just a ruse," Gill said.

If the legislation becomes law, anyone who violates it could face up to three to five years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000 or both.