Phones & Location. How do abusers misuse phones and location devices? What are survivors telling you? CELL PHONES: SPYING & MONITORING

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1 Phones & Location Technology Summit 2016 San Francisco, CA Erica Olsen 2016 NNEDV How do abusers misuse phones and location devices? What are survivors telling you? 2016 NNEDV 2 CELL PHONES: SPYING & MONITORING 2016 NNEDV 3 National Network to End Domestic Violence 1

2 Simple Complex Monitoring or changing functions or features. Voic , Texts, Screen Readers, Settings, Bills Manipulating features Eavesdropping on calls Spying on activity 2016 NNEDV 4 Spyware/Monitoring Software Software requires physical access to the phone. Common features: Track GPS location. Monitor calls, texts, messages. Record/listen to calls. Records websites visited. Can view pictures taken. Access contents on phone. Difficult to detect NNEDV 5 How It Works 2016 NNEDV 6 National Network to End Domestic Violence 2

3 Stealth Genie Case 2014 Creator of Stealth Genie was convicted of selling and advertising an interception device. Was ordered to pay $500,000 fine and hand over the software s source code to the authorities. First criminal conviction of its kind NNEDV 7 Detecting Cell Phone Spyware Unusual battery drain or battery warm when not in use. Spikes in data usage. May take longer to shut down. Screen may light up when not using. May hear clicks or sounds when on calls. Additional incoming calls on bill that user didn t receive. Abuser knows things that s/he could only know if they have access to the phone. Perpetrator has or had physical access NNEDV NNEDV 9 National Network to End Domestic Violence 3

4 2016 NNEDV 10 Safety Tips Trust the survivor s instincts. Narrow down options to identify what could be happening. Strategically use other options for safety. If survivor suspects phone calls are being monitored or recorded, limit what is said and use a safer phone. Be careful transferring content to a new phone NNEDV 11 I am never ever ever gonna answer your calls. PHONES & CELL PHONES: IMPERSONATION 2016 NNEDV 12 National Network to End Domestic Violence 4

5 Text Messaging Ways to send a text message: From a phone to a phone (even to a landline). From your PC using the carrier s website. From E mail, by addressing the to the 10 digit mobile number like this: number@cellphonecompany.com Through text messaging apps: WhatsApp, imessage, BB Message 2016 NNEDV 13 Popular Messaging Applications WhatsApp Viber SnapChat Signal Most provide text, photos, voice, and short video messages 2016 NNEDV 14 Text Messaging Messages can be falsified, spoofed, or sent anonymously from the carrier s website or virtual text messaging services. Nearly all 50 states explicitly include electronic communication in stalking or harassment laws. Apps and services make evidence collection harder and messages creepier. Tiger Text SnapChat WhatsApp 2016 NNEDV 15 National Network to End Domestic Violence 5

6 Caller ID Spoofing Gives caller ability to change number shown on ID, change voice, and record call NNEDV 16 Caller ID Spoofing/Faker 2016 NNEDV NNEDV 18 National Network to End Domestic Violence 6

7 Fake Incoming Calls 2016 NNEDV 19 Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 Signed into law Dec. 22, 2010, prohibits caller ID spoofing for the purposes of defrauding or otherwise causing harm. In June 2010, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules implementing the Truth in Caller ID Act. The FCC s rules: Prohibit any person or entity from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value. Subject violators to a penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation of the rules. Exempt authorized activities by law enforcement agencies and situations where courts have authorized caller ID manipulation to occur NNEDV 20 Trap Call Shows both the name and number of the person. Can also record all calls without other person knowing NNEDV 21 National Network to End Domestic Violence 7

8 Phone Safety Tips Document threatening and harassing calls and messages. Pay as you go phones purchased with cash. Use virtual phone numbers. Examples: Google Voice, Burner App, Be strategic when creating accounts. Linking them to current accounts or accounts that the abuser knows about may connect identity with new phone number NNEDV 22 LOCATION 2016 NNEDV 23 Modern Family 2016 NNEDV 24 National Network to End Domestic Violence 8

9 Family Locator Plans Verizon Family Locator, AT&T Family Map, Sprint Safely Family Locator Locate a phone/person Receive updates about arrival/departure Info accessible online, through an app 2016 NNEDV 25 Family Locator Apps Life 360 Family Locator Family Tracker AirCover Family Locator 2016 NNEDV 26 Access, Notification & Removal Access Authorized user on the carrier account. Often requires physical access to the phone. Notification Some service sends text notification at the beginning, some sends notice periodically. May need to install an app and have location turned on. Removing the service Often need to be an authorized account holder. Sometimes you can simply delete the app NNEDV 27 National Network to End Domestic Violence 9

10 Social-Based Location Apps Allows you to connect with friends. Facebook, Foursquare Allows you to tell people where you are Twitter, Instagram Connect with other people Meetup Grindr Offers deals & discounts Foursquare 2016 NNEDV 28 Apps Collect Data Information Many apps collect location information. Some need location information to operate but not all. Assess whether a particular app needs your location information. Most apps should ask if you will allow it to access your location. If it doesn t allow you to opt out, consider not using that app NNEDV 29 Beware of Accidental Sharing Geotagging Location can be added to pictures taken with phones. Some phone apps that connect to social networks must have location access turned on. Photos uploaded to social media may include exif data NNEDV 30 National Network to End Domestic Violence 10

11 GPS Global Positioning System (GPS): tracks person/object using satellite technology. Active vs. Passive. Used in: Cell phones, tablets, laptops. Vehicle Navigation Systems (On Star, Garmin). Location devices for pets, elderly, children, assets NNEDV 31 Monitor Teen Drivers Know what time they left, what time they arrived and a map to show you the exact location that the car was parked. Alerts notify when teen leaves school early, is speeding, or visits friend. Can set speed limit, unlock doors, enable/disable starter, honk horn NNEDV 32 GPS Hidden In Cars 2016 NNEDV 33 National Network to End Domestic Violence 11

12 Safety Tips Use strong, unique passwords. Be aware of what information apps gather. Log out of accounts that are accessible without passwords. Be cautious about jailbreaking or rooting your device. Some security apps will allow remote autowipe, monitor battery usage, data usage, etc NNEDV 34 Resources Safety Net Project, NNEDV 2016 NNEDV 35 QUESTIONS? 2016 NNEDV 36 National Network to End Domestic Violence 12