Spy gadgets used to be only for the private investigators in the movies. Now, however, cameras mounted in eyeglasses, miniature-recording devices and other types of spying tools are commonplace, readily available to the average consumer. In divorce proceedings, some in California and elsewhere are using the devices to find out what their soon-to-be ex-spouse is up to.
Reports indicate that an increasing number of suspicious spouses are using miniature technological devices to listen in on the activities of their marital partner. In one case, a man reported that his ex-wife had sewn a recording device into his son’s blue jeans. The device was apparently intended to hear conversations that took place in front of the child. A lawsuit has since been filed against the mother.
While this technique may seem extreme, the spy gadgets are easy to access and aren’t particularly expensive, eliminating the need for a personal investigator. However, it’s important to know your limits when it comes to snooping. In some cases it can be seen as a violation of a person’s right to privacy, and you could be facing legal penalties.
The report indicates that the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has said that nearly every divorce case includes some sort of electronic evidence, whether it be a Facebook message or a secret recording. When electronic evidence is used in divorce, it can change the context and result of settlement negotiations, including child custody, which is why some people may want to take extra precautions to ensure they are not being watched or overheard.
Source: chron.com, “Spy gadgets infiltrate divorces as domestic snooping booms,” Mike Tolson, April 29, 2012