Privacy amid Divorce Takes Center Stage in Federal Lawsuit

One woman has found herself in the middle of a national debate over privacy after she discovered her estranged husband was watching her while in her home.

Catherine Zang of Cincinnati discovered that her soon-to-be ex-husband Joseph Zang was watching her every move through secretly installed cameras. He listened to her phone conversations through hidden microphones, and even installed software on her computer which recorded instant messages and emails.

Catherine Zang discovered the surveillance in 2009 after the divorce attorney representing her husband; Mary Jill Donovan disclosed that they had evidence portraying Catherine in “unflattering, embarrassing and private settings.” Donovan also told Mrs. Zang she intended to use the evidence to get a favorable settlement for Jospeh Zang

Catherine Zang along with a friend Javier Luis, who Catherine had extensive internet communications with, have filed separate lawsuits alleging that Joseph Zang violated their privacy. Catherine’s lawsuit names her ex-husband, his attorney and the company that manufactured the tracking software.

Surveillance equipment has gotten less expensive and very technologically advanced. It’s very enticing for people involved in a contentious divorce to use this equipment to gather evidence which will hurt their estranged spouse and bolster their divorce case. 

According to Ken Atlshuler of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers says, “There’s absolutely been an increase in this. They have very sophisticated technology now.”

Spying on ex is nothing new, but this is one of the first cases brought before the courts over privacy.

The laws are not keeping up with our technological advances and this case could prove to be the first of many as more and more people attempt to get at their exes through spying.