Can smartphone app authors be sued if their app is misused?

[TinaMarieSeabur]

I am considering writing an app for the Android Market place. I was looking around Google Play and I noticed quite a few apps that provide various ways to spy on other people. Sometimes they are called "phone locator" or "tracker" or sometimes just "spy".

This sounds like fun but I was wondering if app developers ever get sued when someone, for instance, is killed by a stalker who was using one of these apps to follow them.

Has this ever happened?

I also wonder if having all of that hold harmless, do not misuse this product, jargon protects them in any way.


Thanks,
Tina

 

[Zigner]

I am considering writing an app for the Android Market place. I was looking around Google Play and I noticed quite a few apps that provide various ways to spy on other people. Sometimes they are called "phone locator" or "tracker" or sometimes just "spy".

This sounds like fun but I was wondering if app developers ever get sued when someone, for instance, is killed by a stalker who was using one of these apps to follow them.

Has this ever happened?

I also wonder if having all of that hold harmless, do not misuse this product, jargon protects them in any way.


Thanks,
Tina

Sorry, this forum is for US law only.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

For some reason there always seems to be that "for entertainment only" or a similar disclaimer.

 

[quincy]

For some reason there always seems to be that "for entertainment only" or a similar disclaimer.

Disclaimers will not and cannot prevent a lawsuit. The most a disclaimer can do is work to mitigate damages in the event of a suit.

At least, that is how it is in the U.S.

Tina did not provide her state name or, if not in the U.S., the name of her country.

 

[quincy]

Tina is from California.