Some couple know how to separate without conflict. They go through adivorceamicably and even remain on good terms after. For others (although they’re in the minority, according toone study), divorce can turn into a full-blown circus.

Recently, a womanshared her friend’s storyabout how her soon-to-be-ex-husband went “paranoid spy mode.” He planted listening devices in her car, so, to get somesweet revengefor violating her privacy, the lady decided to let him know exactly how she feels. Knowing he’s listening, she goes into tirades to seriously hurt his ego.

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A husband bugged his wife’s car during divorce, but she came up with a hilarious way to get back at him

Woman in a car wearing glasses and a gray sweater, interacting with the car’s dashboard.

Image credits:bnenin / envatoelements (not the actual photo)

Every time she gets in the car, she has begun taking jabs at his ego out loud, knowing he is listening

Mechanic inspects car undercarriage, illustrating vehicle issues in a story about horrible ex in a bugged car.

Image credits:peoplecreations / freepik (not the actual photo)

Image credits:equrty

Woman driving in a car with a smartphone on the dashboard, discussing her ex.

Image credits:Peter Fazekas / pexels (not the actual photo)

While this story may be light-hearted and funny at first glance, it’s more problematic the more you think about it. “Todd’s” obsession with surveillance seems like a strategy to control “Lisa” and to know what she’s doing at all times.

The author mentions that in “their country,” surveillance cameras are legal if the spouse himself is living there. What’s more, they mention that the laws in their country mean that both spouses will get 50/50 after the divorce. Judging from the information the author gave in the post and theirprevious activityon Reddit, the country they’re talking about might be Israel.

Still, bugging a person’s car with a listening device without their consent or knowledge is still illegal in Israel as well as in many other parts of the world:the U.S., the UK, the EU,Canada, Australia, etc.

Unlawful eavesdropping is illegal in Israel too (at least it was in 2019,according to a Haaretz reporter). Listening in to conversations without the consent at least of one party can result in five years in prison. The husband’s behavior, therefore, is not only inappropriate, but might be illegal as well.

More and more people are becoming obsessed with surveillance of their loved ones

A judge’s gavel on a dark table, symbolizing justice related to a woman’s ex in a bugged car scenario.

Image credits:Sora Shimazaki / pexels (not the actual photo)

Sharing locations,putting AirTagson children, downloading your spouse’s text messages from the iCloud: these and similar modes of surveillance are becoming more and more normalized among people. While they might let us sleep better at night, they often also violate the privacy of our loved ones.

It’s especially prevalent among intimate partners. A 2019 Norton surveyrevealedthat almost half of Americans check in on their partners without their knowledge or consent. 29% said they check their partner’s or ex’s phone and 21% review their search histories. One in 10 of the respondents admitted to downloading surveillance apps to monitor their partners’ data.

In 2020, researchers conducted a study where they analyzed the ways peopletrack their loved ones. According to Rosanna Bellini, a researcher at Newcastle University’s Open Lab and the co-author ofthe study, it’s quite chilling how some people justify theirstalkertendencies. 44% said they don’t trust their partner, and 38% claimed to be “just curious” to find out who their partner is talking to online.

The way some partners are so calculated and meticulous shocked the researchers. “The impacts of intimate partner surveillance are in line with the negative side effects of intimate partner violence,” Bellini explained. According to her, we need to find out why people are so okay with breaching their partners’ trust. “We need to get to the core underlying issue, which is why they have this desire to kind of control their partner’s behavior,” she said.

People loved the woman’s way of dealing with a petty husband: “Love it”

Reddit comment criticizing an ex, joking about low intelligence.

Reddit comment discussing ex’s actions related to a bugged car and future dates.

Comment from user praising story about a woman’s horrible ex-boyfriend in a bugged car.

Comment discussing recordings and taking them to court in response to a bugged car story.

Comment by RhoOfFeh saying, “Past instances in which I professed to like you were fraudulent,” about a horrible ex.

Comment about a car offered to teenagers for makeout space, causing discomfort.

Others had even more revenge ideas for the wife to carry out

Text discussing a person’s ex recording conversations without consent, leading to public embarrassment in court.

Reddit comment about finding a tracker in a bugged car, suggesting placing it on a truck or a ship.

Comment by misstiff1971 about discussing ex’s failures, related to horrible ex in a bugged car.

Text screenshot about a woman discussing her ex-husband’s deceit and a helpful mechanic.

Reddit user’s post describing tricking an ex, mentioning gaslighting and using hidden cameras.

Commentary on a post about an ex, suggesting reciting a joke about a soon-to-be ex (STBX).

Text exchange about a bugged car and friendship, discussing how to confuse an ex while praising a friend.

Reddit comment by user CakePhool discussing a woman’s remark about her ex in a bugged car.

Comment discussing how horrible an ex is, emphasizing their reputation being ruined.

Text comment questioning the legality of using a tracking device on a car for illegal tracking.

Reddit comment discussing the legality of destroying cameras in a shared property.

Text about concerns for safety and strategies regarding abusive ex-partners and their controlling behavior.

Comment advising on divorce settlement and documenting evidence in a bugged car case.

Comment discussing organizations that help check cars for surveillance devices.

Folks also started sharing their experiences with controlling and vindictive spouses

Text from Reddit about a woman discussing her ex, mentioning suspicion of being spied on and an emotional affair.

Text exchange discussing a woman’s experience with her ex being horrible and quoting private conversations.

Thanks! Check out the results:Gabija Palšytė

Mantas Kačerauskas

Viktorija Ošikaitė

Relationships