You use technology to make your life easier, but in the wrong hands, it can also be used to hurt you. If you are going through a divorce, your partner could turn your tech against you.
Evidence is everywhere, and that’s truer than ever. Nearly 3/4 of Americans own a computer, and 1 in 4 live in a place with some smart home capabilities. With technology all around you, it’s very easy for someone with a little access to get a lot of information. And Illinois may allow more of that information to show up in your divorce trial than you think.
Amateur espionage
Spying has never been easier with the technology that’s available today, and your spouse might have the right to use it. If you have linked accounts, synced devices or shared property, it could all be fair game for them to keep tabs on you:
- Doors: When you have a connected lock on your front door, it could keep track of every time you open the door to the house. This means it’s keeping a pretty accurate log of when you’re coming and going.
- Vehicles: If you share a car, then that could be grounds for them to stash a tracking device. Small enough to hide in the glove compartment or stick to the undercarriage, these devices can be hard to spot while they report your every move back to your spouse.
- Devices: Shared devices and synced accounts could mean that your spouse has access to your communications and calendars. Even passwords they learned while sharing a computer could lead to admissible evidence in your divorce proceedings.
Unlawful detecting
With the prevalence of smart devices that listen to and record your voice, spying has never been so accessible. But recording you without your knowledge is illegal in Illinois. Not only is the evidence not admissible in court, but it could also lead to penalties for the offending party.
Orders of protection can also enhance the penalties when your partner starts digging for dirt. An order pertaining to data could turn civil infractions into criminal ones if they break restrictions regarding your information.
Know your rights when it comes to technology during a divorce. Understanding how your partner can use it against you can go a long way towards having peace of mind in the proceedings and your own home.