Starting next month, Google will explicitly ban ads that promote spyware, stalkerware, and surveillance apps.
The company decided to update its restrictions on dishonest behavior by including the surveillance products, which can often be sold to people looking to spy on their partners.
“The updated policy will prohibit the promotion of products or services that are marketed or targeted with the express purpose of tracking or monitoring another person or their activities without their authorization,” Google said in the update.
According to a company spokesperson, the previous policy already banned spyware and stalkerware, which is specifically designed to help a user surreptitiously monitor the digital activities of a romantic partner.
However, Google wanted to clarify the rules and specifically flag the products as a violation.
Once installed on a partner’s phone, stalkerware can secretly monitor texts, phone calls, and the browsing history of the device. According to antivirus provider Kaspersky Lab, this class of spyware appears to be increasing in its use.
In 2019, stalkerware was detected on devices from 67,500 unique users, which is up from 40,386 in 2018.
In addition to stalkerware, Google's updated policy bans ads for GPS trackers and surveillance cameras that are marketed for the express purpose of spying.
If an advertising customer violates the policy, the company will first issue a warning, giving them seven days before initiating an account suspension.
Example of a phone-monitoring app advertised on Google.
(Credit: Google) However, Google's updated policy does contain a potential loophole: the revision only cracks down on ads that purposely market the surveillance products for spying purposes.
Currently, many spyware providers have wisened up and sell the software as child-monitoring apps.
It doesn't exactly help that Google’s updated policy creates an exemption for products and services designed to help parents monitor their underage children. (Another thing to note is how users will still be able to find stalkerware-capable products via Google search.)
Google declined to explain how it'll enforce the updated policy.
But the company said it does try to determine whether an advertiser has malicious intent, and if deceptive practices are being used to conceal a product's true purpose.
The updated policy goes into effect on Aug.
11.
Facebook’s ad policies also prohibit the promotion of hacking tech and hidden surveillance equipment.
If you're worried about stalkerware, consider installing a mobile antivirus product on your phone.
Kaspersky Lab and Norton Lifelock are among the providers working to detect the spyware.
Starting next month, Google will explicitly ban ads that promote spyware, stalkerware, and surveillance apps.
The company decided to update its restrictions on dishonest behavior by including the surveillance products, which can often be sold to people looking to spy on their partners.
“The updated policy will prohibit the promotion of products or services that are marketed or targeted with the express purpose of tracking or monitoring another person or their activities without their authorization,” Google said in the update.
According to a company spokesperson, the previous policy already banned spyware and stalkerware, which is specifically designed to help a user surreptitiously monitor the digital activities of a romantic partner.
However, Google wanted to clarify the rules and specifically flag the products as a violation.
Once installed on a partner’s phone, stalkerware can secretly monitor texts, phone calls, and the browsing history of the device. According to antivirus provider Kaspersky Lab, this class of spyware appears to be increasing in its use.
In 2019, stalkerware was detected on devices from 67,500 unique users, which is up from 40,386 in 2018.
In addition to stalkerware, Google's updated policy bans ads for GPS trackers and surveillance cameras that are marketed for the express purpose of spying.
If an advertising customer violates the policy, the company will first issue a warning, giving them seven days before initiating an account suspension.
Example of a phone-monitoring app advertised on Google.
(Credit: Google) However, Google's updated policy does contain a potential loophole: the revision only cracks down on ads that purposely market the surveillance products for spying purposes.
Currently, many spyware providers have wisened up and sell the software as child-monitoring apps.
It doesn't exactly help that Google’s updated policy creates an exemption for products and services designed to help parents monitor their underage children. (Another thing to note is how users will still be able to find stalkerware-capable products via Google search.)
Google declined to explain how it'll enforce the updated policy.
But the company said it does try to determine whether an advertiser has malicious intent, and if deceptive practices are being used to conceal a product's true purpose.
The updated policy goes into effect on Aug.
11.
Facebook’s ad policies also prohibit the promotion of hacking tech and hidden surveillance equipment.
If you're worried about stalkerware, consider installing a mobile antivirus product on your phone.
Kaspersky Lab and Norton Lifelock are among the providers working to detect the spyware.
