Is My Messenger Being Monitored? Signs To Watch For

With new surveillance technology, it is easier than ever for someone to monitor your phone. While monitoring tools are sometimes used for parental controls or to monitor employees' activities on company devices, they can also be used to invade your privacy and access your private data. If you suspect that your phone is being monitored, it is important to take action to protect your private information. There are several signs that can help you determine whether your phone is being monitored, such as strange permission requests, higher battery consumption, overheating, odd background noises during calls, and increased data usage.

Strange permission requests

Facebook's Messenger app has been criticised for requesting a wide range of invasive permissions, including the power to call phone numbers and send texts without your oversight. It can change the state of network connectivity, record audio, take pictures and videos, read your phone's call log, read your contact data, read personal profile information stored on your device, and access the phone features of the device, like your phone number and device ID.

However, it's important to note that many apps request similar permissions, and there can be legitimate reasons for this. For example, Messenger needs access to your camera so that you can send pictures, and microphone access is necessary for making calls.

Higher battery consumption

If your phone's battery is draining faster than usual, it could indicate that spy software has been downloaded onto your device. Spyware is designed to run continuously in the background, consuming a lot of battery power. This increased power usage leads to faster battery drainage, which can be a noticeable sign that something is amiss.

Spyware apps are constantly active, updating, and running in the background, all of which contribute to higher battery consumption. As a result, your phone may start to exhibit unusual behaviour, such as overheating regularly. This is because, alongside draining your battery, the spyware is also causing your device to operate at a higher temperature than usual.

To investigate this issue, you can check the "Storage" section in your phone's settings. Here, you can view the data consumption of your apps and system processes. If you notice a significant increase in data usage, it could be a sign of spyware. This is because spyware uses a lot of data to send reports to the person monitoring your device.

Additionally, you can try dialling *#21# or *#62# on your phone. While these codes may not work for all types of spyware, they can reveal if your calls or messages are being redirected, which is a strong indicator of a tapped phone.

If you suspect that your device has been compromised, you can take steps to block your phone from being tracked. This includes manually deleting suspicious apps, updating your device's operating system, or performing a factory reset.

Phone overheating

If your phone is overheating, it could be a sign that it is being monitored. Spyware apps are constantly active and updating in the background, which can cause your device to overheat. However, there are also other reasons why your phone might be overheating. For example, it could be due to a hardware issue or a valid app that is consuming a lot of resources due to poor programming or configurations.

To help with overheating issues, you can try the following:

• Before a call, clear your recent apps.
• Try to use WiFi where possible.
• Use a lighter version of the app, if available.
• Force stop other games and apps if you have resource-intensive apps.
• Keep your apps and operating system updated.

If you suspect that your phone is being monitored, there are several signs you can look out for, in addition to overheating. These include:

• Strange permission requests from apps.
• Higher battery consumption.
• Odd background noises during phone calls.
• Increased data usage.
• Unwanted ads and apps running in the background.
• Your phone takes longer to shut down.
• You stop receiving emails that were sent to you.
• Your phone shows activity when not in use.
• Performance issues such as freezes, crashes, and glitches.
• You receive spam and phishing messages.
• You experience issues when browsing websites.

Odd background noises during calls

If you suspect that your phone is being monitored, it is important to take action to protect your privacy. First, try to identify the source of the odd background noises. Are they coming from your end or the other person's end of the call? If it's the latter, it's less likely that your phone is being monitored, and the issue may lie with their connection or surroundings.

However, if you believe the noises are coming from your end, there are a few things you can do to investigate further:

• Listen closely during your next call: Pay attention to any strange or unusual sounds. If you hear things like echoing, static, or voices that aren't present in your environment, it could indicate monitoring.
• Check your phone settings: Go to the "Storage" or "Data Usage" section in your phone settings. Spyware typically consumes a lot of data to send reports to the person monitoring your phone, so increased data usage could be a red flag.
• Dial *#21# or *#62#: These codes can reveal if your calls or messages are being redirected, which is a major sign of a tapped phone.
• Examine your accounts: Check the "Devices" section of your accounts, such as your Apple ID account page. If you see any unfamiliar devices listed, remove them immediately.
• Look for strange app behaviour: Are there any apps on your phone that are requesting permissions that don't make sense for their function? For example, a reminder app asking for camera or voice recording access. These unusual requests could indicate an attempt to spy on you through your camera or microphone.
• Notice any changes in battery consumption and device temperature: Spyware runs continuously in the background, so it can cause increased battery drain and device overheating.

If you suspect your phone is being monitored, you can take steps to block it, such as deleting suspicious apps, updating your device OS, or performing a factory reset. You can also turn off Bluetooth visibility or enable Airplane mode to make your phone invisible to other devices. Additionally, consider seeking professional help from a private investigator or a digital forensics expert to ensure your privacy.

Increased data usage

To determine whether your data usage is abnormally high, it is important to review your data consumption patterns. Navigate to the settings menu on your phone and locate the section dedicated to data usage. Compare your current data usage with your past usage statistics to identify any notable deviations. If you observe a significant increase in data consumption that cannot be attributed to activities such as downloading large files or streaming videos, it is a cause for concern.

It is worth noting that legitimate reasons for increased data usage exist, such as the use of data-intensive applications or streaming high-definition videos. However, if you have not made any changes to your usage habits and still experience abnormally high data usage, it warrants further investigation.

To protect your privacy and limit data consumption, consider utilising secure Wi-Fi networks whenever possible and monitoring your device's background data usage. Additionally, installing a reputable antivirus or anti-spyware application can help scan your device for any malicious software that may be contributing to the increased data usage.

Frequently asked questions