FTC upholds ban on stalkerware founder Scott Zuckerman

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has firmly upheld a ban against Scott Zuckerman, the founder of Support King, which includes the notorious stalkerware applications SpyFone and OneClickMonitor. This decision comes after a significant data breach that compromised sensitive information of both users and their targets. In a recent announcement, the FTC rejected Zuckerman's bid to lift or modify this ban, which was originally imposed in 2021. The order prohibits him from engaging in any form of promotion, sale, or advertising of surveillance software. Additionally, it mandates the destruction of all data collected by SpyFone and requires Zuckerman to implement stringent cybersecurity measures for any future business ventures. Samuel Levine, the former acting director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, criticized the SpyFone brand, highlighting its role in enabling stalkers to access private data. He noted that while the software was concealed from device owners, it was vulnerable to exploitation by hackers due to inadequate security protocols. In his request to the FTC, Zuckerman claimed the financial burden of the compliance requirements hindered his ability to manage other businesses. He currently operates a restaurant and is exploring tourism projects in Puerto Rico, as Support King has ceased operations. The FTC's ban is rooted in a 2018 incident where a security expert discovered an unsecured Amazon S3 bucket belonging to SpyFone, exposing a wealth of personal data, including selfies, messages, and recordings from over 3,600 devices. This breach affected more than 44,000 unique email addresses, raising serious concerns about the security practices of stalkerware providers. Despite the ban, reports emerged in 2022 suggesting Zuckerman was involved in another stalkerware operation. Data leaked from the app SpyTrac indicated connections to Support King, raising alarms that he was attempting to sidestep regulatory restrictions. Eva Galperin, a noted authority on stalkerware, expressed satisfaction with the FTC's decision, emphasizing that Zuckerman seemed to underestimate the seriousness of the ban. She pointed out that the persistence of stalkerware companies reflects a broader industry issue, as many have repeatedly failed to safeguard the privacy of their clientele and the individuals they surveil.