Blog: Tech abuse - how it can happen and how to avoid it 28 March 2025 Sue Harper Deputy Director of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Prevention, Hestia Tech abuse has become increasingly common, with perpetrators able to misuse common devices such as smartphones to monitor, harass and threaten victim-survivors. We spoke to Sue Harper about how technology can be misused to harm victim-survivors, how can this be prevented and what role does technology play in supporting victims? What are the main risks to be aware of? Some things to look out for and be aware of include Perpetrator monitoring, where abusers often track digital activity, increasing the risks of apps and websites being discovered. As technology advances, so do the tools that can be used to further perpetrate abuse. A false sense of security in which users might assume their digital footprint is undetectable when abusers may use spyware or other tactics to access information/identity activity. Data privacy breaches, meaning that if sensitive data is stored insecurely, it could put users at risk. Digital exclusion which is the acknowledgement that not everyone has access to technology, particularly older victim-survivors, who were often overlooked in official data until very recently. If anyone is worried, what can they do? Some key things that all of us can do are: Look for signs of unusual activity: Drained battery life, increased data usage or slow performance could indicate that someone has access to or has tampered with your device. If there are signs of unusual activity, consider if someone could have installed spyware or a tracking device software: Consider whether the perpetrator has ‘helped’ set up any accounts or apps on the phone – if you believe accessing information could put you in any form of danger, delete the app and access help in another way. Uncouple iCloud and online accounts from multiple devices: Review connected devices in iCloud or Google accounts and remove any linked devices that you don’t recognise or trust. Remove browser history: Clear browsing history, cookies and cached data regularly – and use private or incognito mode when appropriate. Enable two-factor authentication: Including email, banking and social media to prevent unauthorised access. Be mindful of phone records: Consider phone records and whether the perpetrator has access to these as, if so, it will provide them with updated addresses and contact details. Calls will also show up on the call log and on bills. Access Bright Sky in a safe space: Consider downloading the Bright Sky app on a friend or family member’s phone or accessing it on your own device in a safe space like a bank or pharmacy. Do you think technology can also play a role in supporting victim-survivors? Absolutely. For example, our ‘Online Safe Spaces’ are located on commonly used websites like British Gas, Royal Mail and Network Rail. When you click the blue circular ‘Safe Spaces’ logo at the bottom of the page, a portal pops up providing information and resources for people experiencing domestic abuse. The portal offers an opportunity for people experiencing domestic abuse to seek support and does not show up on browsing history. Another example is our Bright Sky app and website provide practical support and information on how to respond to domestic abuse. It’s designed for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or anyone who is worried about a friend, family member, or colleague. It can help you to spot the signs of abuse, know how to respond, and find a safe route to support. You should only download the app onto a device which you feel safe using and which only you have access to. If you don’t have a safe device, you can visit one of our Safe Spaces – located in high street banks and pharmacies – and find information on support available and safe devices available there. Domestic Abuse Prevention Work Find out more Worried about someone experiencing domestic abuse? Download Bright Sky Manage Cookie Preferences