Software which is used in cell phone spying is a type of cell phone bugging, tracking, and monitoring software that is surreptitiously installed on mobile phones. This software can enable conversations to be heard and recorded from phones upon which it is installed. Cell phone spying software can be downloaded onto cell phones. Cell phone spying software enables the monitoring or stalking of a target cell phone from a remote location with some of the following techniques:

• Allowing remote observation of the targetcell phone position in real-time on a map that  how to spy on someone phone
• Remotely enabling microphonesto capture and forward conversations. Microphones can be activated during a call or when the phone is on standby for capturing conversations near the cell phone.
• Receiving remote alerts and/or text messages each time somebody dials a number on the cell phone
• Remotely reading text messages and call logs

Cell phone spying software can enable microphones on mobile phones when phones are not being used and can be installed by mobile providers.

Real-time location data

In 2018, United States cell phone carriers, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, that sell customers’ real-time location data publicly stated that they would cease those data sales because the FCC found that the companies had been negligent in protecting the personal privacy of its customers’ data. Location aggregators use that information as well as bounty hunters and others including law enforcement agencies some of which had not obtained search warrants. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai concluded that carriers apparently had violated federal law. However, during 2019, the carriers were continuing to sell real-time location data. During late February 2020, the FCC was seeking fines on the carriers in the case.

Occurrences

In 2005, the prime minister of Greece was advised that his, over 100 dignitaries’, and the mayor of Athens’ mobile phones were bugged. Kostas Tsalikidis, a Vodafone-Panafon employee, was implicated in the matter as using his position as head of the company’s network planning to assist in the bugging. Tsalikidis was found hanged in his apartment the day before. the leaders were notified about the bugging, which was reported as “an apparent suicide.”

Security holes within Signalling System No. 7 (SS7), called Common Channel Signalling System 7 (CCSS7) in the US and Common Channel Interoffice Signaling 7 (CCIS7) in the UK, were demonstrated at Chaos Communication Congress, Hamburg in 2014.

Detection

Some indications of possible cell phone surveillance occurring may include a mobile phone waking up unexpectedly, using a lot of the CPU when on idle or when not in use, hearing clicking or beeping sounds when conversations are occurring and the circuit board of the phone being warm despite the phone not being used.

Prevention

Preventive measures against cell phone surveillance include not losing or allowing strangers to use a mobile phone and the utilization of an access password. Turning off and then also removing the battery from a phone when not in use is another technique. Jamming or a Faraday cage may also work the latter obviating removal of the battery. Another solution is cellophane with physical (electric) switch, or isolated electronic switch that disconnects microphone, camera without bypass, meaning switch can be operated by user only – no software can connect it back.