Google Shuts Down Catwatchful Spyware Hosted on Firebase

Google Shuts Down Catwatchful Spyware Hosted on Firebase

Google shuts down Catwatchful spyware operation hosted on Firebase Google has officially shut down Catwatchful , a phone spyware operation that had been secretly running on its Firebase platform. Catwatchful, disguised as a child-monitoring tool, harvested data from thousands of Android devices without users’ consent. The spyware uploaded sensitive information such as private messages, photos, and location details to a web dashboard accessed by the app’s operator. While Google eventually suspended the associated Firebase account for violating its terms of service, questions remain around the delay in response and the need for tighter oversight of app misuse on its cloud infrastructure. Image Credits:Bryce Durbin How Google responded to the Catwatchful spyware exposure Google’s shutdown of the Catwatchful spyware only followed public exposure by TechCrunch, which had initially flagged the spyware’s activities in mid-June. Despite Firebase’s terms of service clearly prohibiting malicious use…