Pakistani spyware developer indicted on US charges

[StormShadow]

WASHINGTON: The head of a Pakistani company which created an app called StealthGenie allowing users to spy on other people's mobile devices was indicted on US criminal charges, officials said Monday.

The Justice Department said the indictment of Hammad Akbar, 31, of Lahore, Pakistan, is the first-ever criminal case concerning the advertisement and sale of a mobile device spyware app.

Akbar is chief executive of InvoCode Pvt Ltd, which advertises and sells StealthGenie online and which uses a data center based in Virginia.

The app enables the monitoring of voice calls and chats on mobile devices such as the Apple iPhone and Android handsets.

According to officials the business plan of the group was to market the app to people who suspected cheating by a spouse or partner.

Akbar was charged in the indictment with conspiracy, sale of a surreptitious interception device and related charges.

He was arrested in Los Angeles last week and was to appear before a magistrate judge in federal court in California, according to a Justice Department statement.

“Selling spyware is not just reprehensible, it's a crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell.

“Apps like StealthGenie are expressly designed for use by stalkers and domestic abusers who want to know every detail of a victim's personal life – all without the victim's knowledge.”

The indictment alleges that StealthGenie allowed the purchaser to monitor a person's incoming and outgoing voice calls, e-mails and SMS messages, and provided access to voicemail messages, address books, photographs and videos on the device.

StealthGenie is among several apps that can monitor activity of a mobile device.

The company's website was shut down by court order, but a cached version included a disclaimer saying the software must not be used to monitor the smartphone of anyone over 18 without their written consent.

Pakistani spyware developer indicted on US charges - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

 

[GR!FF!N]

Good news.these "Wannabe Crackers" are making our life hell.I studied about Computer Virus.its a whole new level,creating a self sustained life form based on Silicon,just like we're based on Carbon.but then,these pricks tweaked it for their own benefit,making Cyberworld insecure than ever.

Spyware,Worm,Virus,Adware....arrest every kind of makers.

 

[Luftwaffe]

I can list you alot of spyware apps for iOS and Android in their App stores so how about they indict those retards also. But hey if US can call upon and summon PM modi to court you can expect anything.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Strange , capturing a legitimate business man on business trip.

The app itself serves a purpose , its usage is up to users to track information for their children's usage of phone or anything else its user's own choice

Its same as building F16 when used by good military its for defence purpose else it can be used to commit war crimes in Palestina as well

People don't go and SUE F16 makers every time Israel Bombs Palestinian United Nation Hospital , if Pakistani man can be brought to court so should the owners of every weapon manufacturing company

Most likely FBI wants to get copy of technology for own purpose and make under the table deal

Pakistani Gov should step up to get the man out

What Pakistani company created is no different from IP monitoring or , tracking usage of person's website history done by US companies or Network activity if someone is watching a movie on youtube etc. Various US companies and corporations do this activity infact ALL of them do that

The Credit card companies track your purchase history ^_^ what you eat , where you eat etc

So not exactly sure why the Pakistani Man is being targeted

I or anyone could buy the app and put it "BY CHOICE" on my phone to see if anyone else uses my phone when I am not watching, its SPECULATIVE that he is detained for persumed "USAGE" of technology.

Hey why stop there anyone who makes knife , is guilty as knife can be used to cut orange or aid in robbery


Telecommunication companies , use the monitoring devices themselves to track call history etc and print it out on bills anyways

Google tracks information on searches
Youtube tracks what you post

lol so ... not sure what the fuss is all about

Facebook has fine print any personal pictures you upload become property of Facebook , so much for your private pictures

The mini drones being sold in USA can fly over your neighbour's yard and take snap shot etc lol people naked by pool etc

Again .... the TECHNOLOGY is not the problem its the usage of technology and that is where the case FAILS in court and also Pakistan Gov should step up to get the Business Man out


PS companies in USA , install MONITORING software on computers !!! So a snap shot is taken when you use your computer , again all legal ...

The technology can also be for Corporations , that Pakistani Man created to make sure a Corporate user , who uses Company CELL phone is not calling his GF and charging company 2,000 Dollar for telephone calls !!!

Installing such devices is normal for corporate devices

Its already legal to install stuff on Company Computers
Its already legal to install it on Facebook, Google, Youtube etc
Telecom companies already track your telephone history

 

[tarrar]

Build by a Pakistan everybody lose their mind, but made in USA no problem.

 

[HttpError]

Maybe they want him to hand over the source code, so NSA can better track everyone's activity

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I also feel that FBI wants the software code !!! for FBI usage

As I stated monitoring software is common in USA

a) Monitoring corporate computer screen images (ok)
b) Monitoring corporate computer email servers (ok)
c) Monitoring corporate telephone usage (ok) , they track where you call
c) Telecom companies track your phone history (ok)
d) Credit card companies track your purchase history (ok)
e) Banks track your address history (or what you paid for home purchase) (ok)
f) Network companies openly track IP and where people go on websites (ok)
g) Drones in USA flying on private homes , FEDEX DRONES(ok)
h) Parents installing monitoring devices in home for tracking usage of stuff by children (ok)
i) Google , Hotmail, Yahoo, Facebook, Amazon can track my preference history (ok)
j) Its legal in USA to take camera wait outside someone home and take images in hollywood (ok)
l) Maps charting companies display crime rate in city , effecting property value of homes (ok)

Believe it or not !!

INFACT NOW USA HAVE companies that take your blood test , urine test, your DNA samples and these are used for your interviews with large companies (ok) and these companies state , this information & data stays in their database !!! Many folks go thru it due to need for job



Back to the Issue;
So If a father has a daughter/son (10 years old) , he gets her/him a phone , he wants to know who she calls for her safety , the application is 100% legal. Parents check the phone logs of children (ok)

People install monitoring software for browsing protecting for children in USA (ok)
Legal , and people pay money for it .... why because parents don't want children to get into trouble (Again safe example)


Its is 100% Legel , provided its done to own Phone / Machine device. And there is no Case that the Pakistani Man/Company should be held liable for Presumed "USAGE of Technology"

If anything Pakistani Company should get PATENT for this invention in USA ....Also Pakistani Government should play role to make sure the PATENT is recognized as Pakistani invention

 

[Chanakyaa]

IMHO, The Move is ridiculous, Many SIMILAR Apps / Spywares ALREADY Exist !
Perhpaps its Better to wait for Fine Details in the Case.

I also feel that FBI wants the software code !!! for FBI usage

As I stated monitoring software is common in USA

a) Monitoring corporate computer screen images (ok)
b) Monitoring corporate computer email servers (ok)
c) Monitoring corporate telephone usage (ok) , they track where you call
c) Telecom companies track your phone history (ok)
d) Credit card companies track your purchase history (ok)
e) Banks track your address history (or what you paid for home purchase) (ok)
f) Network companies openly track IP and where people go on websites (ok)
g) Drones in USA flying on private homes (ok)
h) Parents installing monitoring devices in home for tracking usage of stuff by children (ok)
i) Google , Hotmail, Yahoo, Facebook, Amazon can track my preference history (ok)
j) Its legal in USA to take camera wait outside someone home and take images in hollywood (ok)

So If a father has a daughter/son (10 years old) , he gets her/him a phone , he wants to know who she calls for her safety , the application is 100% legal. Parents check the phone logs of children (ok)

People install monitoring software for browsing protecting for children in USA (ok)
Legal , and people pay money for it .... why because parents don't want children to get into trouble (Again safe example)


Its is 100% Legel , provided its done to own Phone / Machine device. And there is no Case that the Pakistani Man/Company should be held liable for Presumed "USAGE of Technology"

If anything Pakistani Company should get PATENT for this invention in USA ....

Do You feel the Inventors of PCs and The CREATORS of "THIS" Need Source Codes ?

THIS :

Stuxnet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[flameboard]

A lot of hackers get hired by governments that's why they might have tried to scare him with an arrest. Otherwise there is so Much spyware on the Android Market they'd make an arrest every hour.

 

[narcon]

He stands to lose his shirt from here onward. Because, now the consumers will start a class action suit against this man who would bleed financially.

 

[Bouncer]

Good news.these "Wannabe Crackers" are making our life hell.I studied about Computer Virus.its a whole new level,creating a self sustained life form based on Silicon,just like we're based on Carbon.but then,these pricks tweaked it for their own benefit,making Cyberworld insecure than ever.
Spyware,Worm,Virus,Adware....arrest every kind of makers.

StealthGenie was a spyware app, not a virus. There are hundreds of such applications available. There are big companies which sell these tools to corporate/Government customers.

Secondly, when NSA spies on the entire world, it is fine. But a private citizen downloads and installs an app with consent, everyone looses their shit.

 

[forcetrip]

Shows the "do as I say not as I do" creed. Will be following his case.

 

[GR!FF!N]

StealthGenie was a spyware app, not a virus. There are hundreds of such applications available. There are big companies which sell these tools to corporate/Government customers.

Secondly, when NSA spies on the entire world, it is fine. But a private citizen downloads and installs an app with consent, everyone looses their shit.

yup..I know there are hundreds of such applications are available and there are tolls available via which you can meke this kind of tolls easily.but these apps aren't making our life exactly easier.

about NSA,I can trust a Democratic Govt,who never steals your money for themselves,but not a Vigilante.who gave that guy permission to monitor a civilian's mobile device??even govt agencies generally find it hard to procure such permission from court.most of these type of developers use the procured information to ear millions.they gets whole lot of information regarding various passwords,bank account details and all and then insert various types of Phising tools,Keyloggers and all.in one term,these developers are "Thief".

 

[Cheetah786]

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

[Murat Sulemaniyyeh]

Pakistani father makes an app for other Pakistani parents to monitor their children's activities. Gets indicted by the US for espionage and helping pedophiles, predators. True story.