Scott Zuckerman, ex-SpyFone founder, petitions the FTC to lift his surveillance industry ban despite past breaches and ongoing privacy backlash.
🖋 By Meenakshi – AZAD Architects, Barnala
Controversial Spyware Founder Fights FTC Ban Amid New Privacy Concerns
Scott Zuckerman, the founder of a notorious spyware empire, is seeking a second chance in the surveillance industry. After a sweeping 2021 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order barred him and his company Support King from selling phone-monitoring apps due to massive data breaches, Zuckerman now wants the ban lifted. His petition is sparking fierce debate among privacy advocates, who argue his track record of mishandling sensitive user data proves he cannot be trusted to operate without strict oversight. The FTC’s decision could set a critical precedent for how far regulators will go to hold repeat offenders accountable in the digital age.
How Zuckerman’s Spyware Empire Fell
Zuckerman’s company, Support King, became infamous after its subsidiary SpyFone leaked thousands of victims’ private phone data—from messages and photos to precise locations—onto the public web in 2018. Following the breach, the FTC unanimously banned Zuckerman and his businesses from promoting or selling stalkerware. The order also forced ongoing cybersecurity audits and required the deletion of unlawfully collected data.
Why He is Challenging the Ban Now
In his petition, Zuckerman claims the FTC’s order imposes “unnecessary burdens,” citing steep compliance costs that he says limit the growth of his other ventures. He argues that the current commission’s enforcement philosophy focuses on “positive consumer impact” rather than punitive measures, appealing directly to FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson and the Republican-majority agency.
A Troubled Past: Violations After the Ban
Despite the 2021 ruling, Zuckerman was linked to SpyTrac, another spyware operation exposed in 2022. Breached data revealed SpyTrac’s developers had ties to Support King, suggesting an attempt to skirt the FTC ban. Even worse, SpyTrac’s leaked servers still contained data from SpyFone—information that was legally required to be deleted.
Privacy Advocates Push Back
Cybersecurity experts are strongly opposing Zuckerman’s appeal. Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation called him a “repeat bad actor” who would “start another stalkerware company the moment he could get away with it.” She stressed that the reporting requirements are meant to protect the public and that Zuckerman’s history shows he cannot secure sensitive user information.
The FTC’s Next Move: A Test for Privacy Enforcement
The FTC has not set a date for its decision but is accepting public comments on the petition until August 19. The outcome could reflect how a Republican-controlled commission balances industry leniency against consumer protection. Privacy advocates warn that weakening the order may embolden other surveillance companies with questionable records.
What is at Stake for User Privacy?
If the FTC modifies or lifts the ban, it could open the door for a surveillance vendor with a history of violations to legally operate again. Critics fear this would set a dangerous precedent, undermining efforts to regulate stalkerware and safeguard digital privacy in an era of growing cybersecurity threats.
✅ Closing Thought
Zuckerman’s case highlights a deeper question: Should regulators ever give repeat privacy offenders a second chance? As public trust in data security continues to erode, the FTC’s ruling could send a powerful signal about the future of digital privacy and surveillance accountability.
📌 Thank you!
Follow Finance (AZAD Architects, Barnala) for practical tips from an architect, blogger, technical expert, and financer's lens.
Finance (Azad Architects, Barnala)
