I'm being spied on

If you suspect your phone or accounts are being monitored, you can take immediate steps to check for surveillance, lock down your devices, and protect your privacy.¹²

Signs of Phone Surveillance

• Indicator dots: Look for a green or orange dot at the top of your screen, which signals active camera or microphone use.
• Battery and performance issues: Watch for rapid battery drain, an idle phone feeling warm, or sudden data spikes.
• Call or text forwarding: Dial *#21# on your phone's dial pad to see if call forwarding is active.¹²³⁴

Immediate Steps to Take Control

1. Check app permissions: Review your privacy settings (under Privacy and Security or Security and Privacy) to revoke camera, microphone, and location access for unfamiliar apps.¹²³
2. Remove unknown apps: Uninstall any apps or custom keyboards you do not recognize or did not install yourself.¹²
3. Secure your accounts: Change your passwords for your email and primary accounts from a clean, separate device, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) using an authenticator app.¹²
4. Perform a factory reset (if severe): If you suspect deep spyware, back up essential personal files (photos/documents to a computer rather than the cloud) and perform a full factory reset on your device, then update to the latest operating system version.¹²³

Here is a guide on how to check your phone for signs of spying and hidden tracking:

3:28 How To Check If Someone is SPYING on your Phone? (5 Signs)4.3k views  · 1 year ago
YouTube · iDeviceFocus

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• Are you using an iPhone or an Android?
• What specific behaviors or changes have you noticed on your device?

I'm sorry you're feeling this way. That sounds frightening and unsettling, especially if you feel like your privacy or safety has been compromised.

I want to take you seriously without jumping to conclusions.

Can I ask you three things?

1. What makes you think you're being spied on? Have you noticed something specific, such as unusual activity on your phone, someone knowing private information, or unexplained events?
2. Who do you suspect? Someone you know, a neighbour, an organisation, or someone online?
3. Do you feel physically unsafe, or is it mainly that you feel your privacy is being invaded?

A few things I want you to know:

• I won't dismiss your concerns.
• We can look at practical ways to check your phone, accounts and privacy.
• We don't have to assume anything until we have evidence.

You can tell me what's been happening, even if it sounds unusual. I'll listen without judging you. ❤️