Stalkerware app targets victims globally, exposing locations and messages without consent
Summary
Cybersecurity researchers from Kaspersky identified a new stalkerware app called MonitorMinor that enables covert surveillance of users' devices, including access to messages, location, and social media. The app bypasses standard security controls by gaining root access, allowing abusers to monitor victims without their knowledge. MonitorMinor can also extract sensitive files to unlock devices and erase its own digital traces, making it extremely difficult for victims to detect. The app is not available on major app stores like Google Play or the Apple Store, suggesting it does not meet standard privacy requirements. It has been most frequently installed in India and Mexico, with significant global reach. The Coalition Against Stalkerware, including NortonLifeLock, has raised concerns about the app's potential for abuse despite MonitorMinor's claims it is intended solely for parental monitoring.
Incident Details
Harms involving the exploitation, abuse, or endangerment of minors, including CSAM and grooming.