Cyberstalking apps: Google promotes violence against women through adverts
Cyberstalking made easy – Google promotes violence against women by advertising stalking apps. We have lodged a complaint with the German Federal Network Agency and the European Commission.
"Where are you?", “Who are you meeting up with?”, "What are you doing?" - Stalkers no longer need to ask these questions. Stalking apps promise complete control over a stranger's phone without them realising it. Providers advertise ostensibly that the apps enables parents to control their children's mobile phones. However, names such as ‘SpyX’ already indicate that these apps are aimed at people intending to spy on other adults such as (ex-)partners.
Stalking apps: Why it is so difficult to take action against them
Depending on the app, stalkers can switch the mobile phone camera on and off, read messages or listen in on phone calls – a massive invasion of privacy and intimacy. This form of spying is a criminal offence in Germany (StGB § 201, 201a and 202a). Producers of such apps market their products under the guise of software supposed to protect children from online dangers. Parents are allowed to do this. Unlike actual protection software for children, however, stalking apps run unnoticed in the background: Those affected often don't even realise that they are being spied on. This makes it difficult to take legal action against such software. In their terms of use, the companies refer to the explicit consent of the person to be monitored, thereby absolving themselves of responsibility – they claim that offenders themselves are solely responsible for offences committed with their apps.
Google adverts promote visibility
Cyberstalking apps can be found on Google within seconds: With the right keywords such as "monitor partner mobile phone" or "monitor girlfriend mobile phone", the search engine displays tailored adverts for stalking apps through its online marketing programme "Google Ads".
If a user searches on Google for ways to monitor another person, Google displays adverts for stalking apps: The paid ads, which are displayed at the top of the search results, are optimised using artificial intelligence and based on analyses of previous user behaviour.
The adverts are explicitly tailored to the search and the user. Ads like these, from which Google earns billions, contribute to the clearly recognisable upward trend in the use and supply of such apps. With targeted advertising, Google is making it easier for stalkers to find apps, opening the door to cyberstalking and violence against women.
Women in particular are at risk
Worldwide, the number of people using such apps is on the rise. There is a whole industry behind them . Stalking apps can potentially target anyone. Reports (such as by the NZZ and RND) and data leaks from relevant companies prove that men in particular use such applications to monitor people close to them, such as partners. The use of such apps makes it easier for stalkers to put psychological pressure on those affected and is often a precursor to physical violence.
"It is incomprehensible that stalking apps are legal at all. Anyone who supports their distribution is playing into the hands of stalkers and companies. At the same time, the amount of counselling on digital surveillance is going through the roof. Victims and counselling centres need solidarity and support now – from big tech companies too!" says Isa Schaller, IT consultant and trainer at “Ein Team gegen digitale Gewalt”.
Large platforms carry a particular responsibility
In its guidelines, Google itself prohibits the advertising of "products or services that can be used to monitor other people or their activities without their consent". It is an open secret that Google's advertising business regularly disregards its guidelines.
Under the Digital Services Act, Google is obliged to take effective measures to reduce the risk of gender-based violence. Google appears to be failing to do this – by targeting adverts, Google is making it easier for stalkers to find stalking apps, opening the door to cyberstalking and violence against women.
Joint complaint with ‘One team against digital violence
We want to hold Google accountable and are therefore filing a complaint together with ‘Ein-Team gegen digitale Gewalt at the German Federal Network Agency and the European Commission. The Commission will be asked to initiate proceedings against Google and, if necessary, to take supervisory measures against Google. The advertising of stalking apps via the Google search engine is to be prevented, thereby reducing the visibility and use of the apps by stalkers. Cyberstalking is a key instrument of gender-based violence – and in order to prevent this, the distribution and use of such apps must be stopped.
