Jealousy, lack of trust, doubts… So many reasons that can push you to spy on your partner’s phone. But be careful, because this practice is prohibited by law…
Trust is not something that comes easily, even in a romantic relationship, of which it is supposed to be the cement. What if your partner is hiding something from you? Why does he always have his nose glued to his smartphone? What if he found something better elsewhere? In these cases, rummaging through his phone can be very tempting. It is there, right next to you. You just have to reach out to take a quick glance at it. Just long enough to read the latest text message that has just appeared or to check his social networks.
If you have already succumbed to temptation, know that you are not alone. Nearly 40% of French people admit to having already done so. A practice that has sometimes led to revelations of various kinds: lies, infidelity, consulting pornographic or dating sites… But we advise you to think twice. Because in addition to being a morally questionable practice, searching through someone’s smartphone is illegal and can be punished by law.
In fact, it is nothing more or less than digital espionage, which can take different forms (access code obtained without knowledge, hidden geolocation, searching through photos, etc.). This can constitute serious marital misconduct, or even be considered harassment, especially if these acts are repeated. In this case, we also speak of marital espionage. The person spied on can then sue their spouse and claim interest for the damages suffered.
This practice is condemned by articles 226 and following of the Penal Code on violations of privacy, as well as article 226-15, which protects the secrecy of correspondence. Also, opening someone’s email without their knowledge is punishable by one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros. In the case where this occurs within a couple, the sentence can increase to two years in prison and a fine of 60,000 euros.
Why such severity? Simply because regularly searching through your partner’s smartphone is a symptom of control and can be associated with a form of violence. More than half of people who have repeatedly suffered physical violence from their partner reveal that the latter had already looked through their mobile phone without their knowledge.
So you have been warned! So the next time you feel the temptation to look through your partner’s phone, think twice! Is it really worth it?