'Boyfriend Tracker' app raises stir in Brazil

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazilians were outraged when they learned their country was a top target of the U.S. National Security Agency's overseas spying operation, with data from billions of calls and emails swept up in Washington's top secret surveillance program.

Yet when it comes to the cloak and dagger effort of catching philandering lovers, all high-tech weapons appear to be fair game at least to the tens of thousands of Brazilians who downloaded "Boyfriend Tracker" to their smartphones before the stealthy software was removed from the Google Play app store last week, apparently in response to complaints about privacy abuses and its potential to be used for extortion or even stalking.

"Brazilians are a jealous people, what can I say? Of course it's going to be popular," said Marcia Almeida, a 47-year-old woman in Rio whose marriage ended seven years ago in large part because of what she said was her husband's infidelity.

"It's a different type of spying," she said of comparisons to the NSA surveillance program. "You're checking up on somebody you know intimately, not some stranger."

The app, called "Rastreador de Namorados" (Portuguese for Boyfriend Tracker), promises to act like a "private detective in your partner's pocket."

Functions include sending the person doing the tracking updates on their partner's location and forwarding duplicates of text message traffic from the targeted phone. There is even a command that allows a user to force the target phone to silently call their own, like a pocket dial, so they can listen in on what the person is saying.

Similar apps are marketed for smartphone users in other countries, including Europe and the U.S.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-world/20130822/LT-Brazil-Boyfriend-Tracker/

[GandD 5,966]

I know a couple that uses the find my friends app for each other. Psycho.

Edited August 22, 2013 by GandD

[Peikko 1,575]

If you are tempted to use such software you should just ditch the partner but some people just loves drama.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I know a couple that uses the find my friends app for each other. Psycho.

One of the neighborhood fathers was a cameraman for CBS, doing shows like the Smother's Brothers Show and the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Both Sonny and Cher each had a stenographer follow them around all day, so if there was ever an argument about what one said to the other, there was a record.

[GandD 5,966]

One of the neighborhood fathers was a cameraman for CBS, doing shows like the Smother's Brothers Show and the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Both Sonny and Cher each had a stenographer follow them around all day, so if there was ever an argument about what one said to the other, there was a record.

Ha, that's perfect.

[Darnell 8,479]

What's the problem? It's Brasil !!! Infidelity rates are high there.

[Peikko 1,575]

...and clearly following your partner around electronically is the answer!

It's not quite on a par with checking girls for virginity but it's in the same ballpark.

[X Factor 1,112]

If you are tempted to use such software you should just ditch the partner but some people just loves drama.

My thoughts exactly

[Kev-N-Ann 45]

If you are tempted to use such software you should just ditch the partner but some people just loves drama.

I agree. If i'm in a situation where I feel the need to track my partner, then it's time to move on. Can't have love without trust.

[Karee 4,191]

If you are tempted to use such software you should just ditch the partner but some people just loves drama.

Exactly.

[Darnell 8,479]

I dunno - if'n i've seen her naked, then I respect her right to implant me with a location-finder chip.

[GandD 5,966]

I dunno - if'n i've seen her naked, then I respect her right to implant me with a location-finder chip.

What no gif?

[Darnell 8,479]

Aiyo - one just for you, but expect to see it next week also.