Masquerading Android Safety App CatWatchful Caught Exposing User Data

A few weeks ago, we warned about the security dangers posed by stalkerware apps. We specifically mentioned that they are not only dangerous for victims, but also for stalkers, and a newly published report only reinforces those claims. Security researchers have found that the Catwatchful stalkerware app exposes sensitive information on Android devices.

To clarify, we refer to anyone who installs a stalkerware app to monitor another person's activities as the "stalker" and anyone being monitored as the "victim". The gist is that Catwatchful stalkerware prides itself on its ability to stay undetected on smartphones. It secretly collects private information, such as the victims' photos, messages, and real-time location data. It can also eavesdrop on conversations and access the front and rear cameras of victims' phones. All this information is uploaded to a dashboard that can be accessed by the person controlling the spyware.

According to security researchers, the ...