Someone might be reading the messages on your phone—and you're probably unaware of it. Secure Data Recovery surveyed Americans(Opens in a new window) about their phone-snooping habits, and while 82% admitted they've done it, 81% said they’ve never been caught.
This data has either inspired you to change your phone's password or to sneak a peek at your partner’s phone. If it’s the latter, maybe you, like 59% of those who answered the survey, are doing it out of general curiosity. Or you might suspect that the person you’re spying on is doing something wrong, which is the case for 56% of respondents. Or, like 14% of survey respondents, you could be concerned for someone’s well-being.
Who's getting snooped on? People are looking through the phone of their partner (38%), an ex-partner (28%), their child (9%), a friend (8%), a parent (7%), a sibling (7%), or a co-worker (3%).
Regarding what you might find, brace yourself: Over half (53%) found something concerning during their surreptitious digital expeditions, including digital cheating or flirting (39%), evidence of in-person cheating (31%), lying unrelated to a romantic relationship (17%), illegal activity (6%), sensitive financial info (3%), a sensitive purchase (2%), and sensitive health info (2%).
While messages of all kinds (texts, DMs) are the most popular things to look at (87%), the more-expert spies check photos and videos (44%), browser history (38%), private notes (12%), location history (9%), bank and payment apps (5%), and online purchases (5%).
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