**Hacked, Leaked, Exposed: The Shady World of Stalkerware Apps**

Behind the veil of digital espionage lies a thriving industry that thrives on exploiting sensitive personal data. Welcome to the world of stalkerware apps, where jealous partners and spouses secretly monitor their loved ones, often with devastating consequences.

The latest addition to this shady ecosystem is uMobix, whose payment information was scraped from over 500,000 customers by a hacktivist who deliberately exposed the sensitive data online. This isn't an isolated incident; in fact, it's just one of many stalkerware companies that have suffered massive data breaches since 2017.

According to our ongoing tally, at least 27 stalkerware companies have been hacked or leaked customer and victims' data online. And if that weren't enough, four of these companies were hit multiple times. It's a disturbing pattern that highlights the lack of care for protecting customers' personal information – not to mention the unwitting victims whose sensitive data is exposed.

One such victim was Catwatchful, whose breach in 2024 compromised the phone data of at least 26,000 people. And it's not just the hackers who are responsible; even stalkerware companies like SpyX, Cocospy, and Spyzie have left millions of victims' messages, photos, call logs, and other personal data exposed online.

So what drives these breaches? Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, believes that stalkerware companies are "soft targets" due to their lax approach to security. "The people who run these companies are perhaps not the most scrupulous or really concerned about the quality of their product," she told TechCrunch.

Galperin's assessment is spot on. Stalkerware apps often explicitly market themselves as solutions for catching cheating partners, encouraging users to engage in illegal and unethical behavior. But it's not just the stalkerware companies that are at fault; it's also the customers who use these apps without realizing the risks involved.

Take mSpy, for example – one of the longest-running stalkerware apps. In 2018, they leaked over 2 million customer records, exposing the personal data of millions of users. And it's not just mSpy; other stalkerware companies like FamilyOrbit, Xnore, and MobiiSpy have also left customers' data exposed online.

So what can you do to protect yourself? First and foremost, avoid using stalkerware apps altogether. If you're concerned about your partner or child's behavior, consider using parental tracking tools built into Apple phones and tablets or Android devices – they're safer and operate overtly.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) provides 24/7 free, confidential support to victims of domestic abuse and violence. If you are in an emergency situation, call 911. The Coalition Against Stalkerware has resources if you think your phone has been compromised by spyware.

As the stalkerware industry continues to grow, it's essential that we acknowledge the risks involved and take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. By doing so, we can create a safer digital world – one where people are free from the threat of surveillance and exploitation.

**The Complete List of Stalkerware Companies That Have Been Hacked or Leaked Sensitive Data Since 2017:**

1. Retina-X (2017) 2. FlexiSpy (2017) 3. pcTattletale (2024) 4. mSpy (2024) 5. Catwatchful (2024) 6. SpyX (2024) 7. Cocospy (2024) 8. Spyzie (2024) 9. uMobix (2024)

This list is not exhaustive, but it highlights the alarming trend of stalkerware companies being hacked or leaking sensitive data online. It's essential that we continue to monitor this issue and raise awareness about the risks involved in using stalkerware apps.

**Stay Safe Online:**

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact:

* National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) * Coalition Against Stalkerware

Remember, your digital security is our top priority. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and together we can create a safer online world.