Ending a marriage is challenging enough without adding criminal charges to the mix. That said, some Texas spouses will go entirely too far trying to gain the upper hand in their divorce. It’s important to tread carefully while moving through the legal process, especially when it comes to the use of technology to spy on the other party.
There are a multitude of devices available that offer the ability to track another person’s whereabouts and activities. In some cases, spouses make use of these tools to gain insight into what their soon-to-be ex is up to. But just because it’s possible to do something doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea.
For example, many different GPS tracking devices are available for sale. Placed in an inconspicuous place on a vehicle, these devices can transmit the car’s exact location. Cell phones are also easy to equip with tracking apps and provide real-time updates on the owner’s location. There are even spyware programs that can record every single keystroke and screenshot on another person’s computer.
Some spouses feel that they can collect valuable evidence using these types of tools. In reality, however, digital surveillance is often against the law. Any information gleaned through these tactics cannot be used in divorce court. Even worse, if a Texas resident is caught breaking the law, he or she could be charged with a crime. Either of those outcomes would do little to advance one’s cause in divorce court, and could easily be used to paint a picture of a person who is devious and far from credible.
Source: npr.org, “I Know Where You’ve Been: Digital Spying And Divorce In The Smartphone Age“, Aarti Shahani, Jan. 4, 2018
