Stalkerware Industry Plagued by Data Breaches, Exposing Millions of Victims
At least 23 stalkerware companies have been hacked or leaked sensitive data since 2017, putting millions of victims at risk of real-world harm and violence.

Starfolk
Sonos, the popular audio equipment manufacturer, is undergoing a significant leadership overhaul in the wake of its troubled app launch. In a span of just 48 hours, the company has seen the departure of three top executives, including chief commercial officer Deirdre Findlay, CEO Patrick Spence, and chief product officer Maxime Bouvat-Merlin.
Findlay, who oversaw marketing, customer experience, and go-to-market strategy, is the latest to exit the company. Her departure is seen as a significant move, given her role in shaping Sonos' marketing efforts, including the company's much-criticized app launch. The new app, which was released in May, was plagued by bugs and glitches, leading to widespread customer frustration and a significant blow to the company's reputation.
The leadership shake-up is seen as a deliberate attempt by Sonos to correct its course and take accountability for its mistakes. Interim CEO Tom Conrad, who replaced Spence, has demonstrated a clear objective to get the company back on track. According to sources, the moves have already boosted morale inside the company, with employees sensing that the new regime is serious about getting back to doing what Sonos does best.
The app controversy has had far-reaching consequences for Sonos, including a significant impact on its marketing efforts. Employees have expressed dismay over the large sums of money spent on advertising last year, despite the app issues. The company's expensive marketing campaigns, including a New York City subway campaign for the Sonos Ace headphones and a holiday elves campaign, had little effect in the face of the app problems.
As Sonos looks to recover from its mistakes, the company will need to re-examine its marketing strategy and focus on rebuilding customer trust. The departure of Findlay and other top executives is seen as a necessary step in this process. With Conrad at the helm, Sonos is poised to make significant changes and get back to its roots as a company that prioritizes customer experience and quality products.
For those with insight into the inner workings of Sonos, this is an opportunity to share their stories and provide a more comprehensive understanding of what went wrong. Tech journalist Chris Welch, who has covered Sonos extensively, is inviting sources to come forward and share their experiences confidentially.
As the dust settles on this significant leadership shake-up, one thing is clear: Sonos is committed to change and is taking concrete steps to correct its mistakes. The company's future trajectory will depend on its ability to learn from its errors and refocus on its core values. Only time will tell if Sonos can recover from its troubled app launch and emerge stronger than ever.
At least 23 stalkerware companies have been hacked or leaked sensitive data since 2017, putting millions of victims at risk of real-world harm and violence.
Israel-based trading platform eToro has confidentially filed for a US IPO, potentially valuing the company at over $5 billion, following a $3.5 billion funding round in March.
OpenAI reveals a subtle yet significant rebranding, introducing a new typeface and refined logo, aiming to convey a more organic and human identity.
Copyright © 2024 Starfolk. All rights reserved.