Spyware maker pcTattletale founder pleads guilty to selling and promoting surveillance software, a rare case
The founder of a US-based spyware company has pleaded guilty to charges related to providing products that could monitor smartphones and PCs. This marks the first time since 2014 that a spyware operator has been arrested, indicted, and subsequently pleaded guilty in the US.
Stalkerware manufacturer pleads guilty to sale of snooping software • The Register
pcTattletale founder pleads guilty as US cracks down on stalkerware | Malwarebytes
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2026/01/pctattletale-founder-pleads-guilty-as-us-cracks-down-on-stalkerware
Stalkerware operator pleads guilty in rare prosecution | The Record from Recorded Future News
https://therecord.media/stalkerware-guilty-plea-fleming
Founder of spyware maker pcTattletale pleads guilty to hacking and advertising surveillance software | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/06/founder-of-spyware-maker-pctattletale-pleads-guilty-to-hacking-and-advertising-surveillance-software/
pcTattletale is an app that continuously uploads copies of a victim's information, including messages, photos, and location data from their smartphone or PC, to a pcTattletale server. It works by being secretly installed on a victim's device, allowing the attacker to eavesdrop on the information.
Spyware found on hotel check-in computer, guest information captured in screenshots and leaked online - GIGAZINE
The pcTattletale investigation began in June 2021 after the discovery of more than 100 sites offering spyware, many of which advertised legitimate uses for the software, such as monitoring children or employees.
In November 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Nick Jones contacted pcTattletale founder Brian Fleming, posing as an affiliate marketer. Fleming then sent him a promotional banner image for pcTattletale, which included the caption 'The #1 Spy App for Catching Cheating Partners.' Later, Fleming allegedly offered to assist Jones, who was attempting to install pcTattletale on his boyfriend's smartphone.
These actions led to the issuance of a search warrant, which led to the search of Fleming's home and the seizure of his bank and PayPal accounts. Crucially for investigators, Fleming appeared to be operating pcTattletale from his home in Michigan, within the jurisdiction of US law enforcement, in contrast to many spyware operators who are based overseas.
Fleming is alleged to have been selling spyware from at least 2017 to 2022. Fleming's lawyer, Marcus Bourassa, said, 'Fleming had no idea that his products might violate the law, and as soon as he learned of the problem, he stopped everything and fully cooperated with investigators.'
In January 2026, Fleming pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to charges of computer hacking and selling and promoting surveillance software for illegal purposes. Fleming is scheduled to be sentenced in late 2026.
In 2024, while the investigation was ongoing, pcTattletale was hacked by an unknown party, resulting in the leakage of personal information of over 138,000 customers. This incident led to the closure of pcTattletale.
The server of consumer spyware 'pcTattletale,' which is said to have a vulnerability, was hacked and internal data was leaked - GIGAZINE
This is the first conviction in the United States for spyware operations in more than 10 years, since the developer of the cell phone monitoring app 'StealthGenie' was indicted and pleaded guilty in 2014.
The head of a company that sold an app perfect for stalking and domestic violence was arrested - GIGAZINE
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