Gender-based violence also occurs in digital environments, often in subtle ways that are difficult to identify and still insufficiently discussed. Everyday technologies such as location-tracking apps, social media platforms, and monitoring tools can be used to surveil, control, and harass women without their consent.

The use of spyware programs, known as stalkerware, is one example of this practice. These programs allow someone to access another person’s messages, location, photos, calls, and even remotely activate their phone’s microphone or camera, often without their knowledge. This type of monitoring is not care or protection: it is a form of violence and a violation of privacy.

Despite its serious impacts, many victims struggle to recognize these behaviors as violence. Digital surveillance is often disguised as “concern,” “jealousy,” or “protection,” which contributes to the normalization of control and the invalidation of the feelings of those experiencing this invasion. However, practices such as online stalking, non-consensual monitoring, and unauthorized access to accounts and devices can cause psychological, social, and even financial harm, in addition to constituting a crime in many situations.

It was in response to this context that the Recife Institute for Research on Internet and Society (IP.rec) developed the guide “Surveillance Is Not Love: A Protection Guide Against Online Stalking and Gender-Based Violence” with support from the Digital Access Programme of the British Embassy in Brazil. The publication was created to help victims, professionals, and society as a whole better understand how digital surveillance operates and what measures can be taken for protection.

Throughout the guide, readers will find accessible explanations about what stalkerware is, the warning signs that a device may be under surveillance, how to identify digital stalking practices, and which security measures can help reduce risks. The material also provides guidance on preserving evidence, seeking support, and useful information for legal and mental health professionals working with cases of digital violence.

More than a technical guide, this publication seeks to broaden the public debate on technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Recognizing these practices is a fundamental step toward confronting them and building a digital environment in which girls and women can exercise their rights, autonomy, and freedom safely.

We hope you find this guide useful.

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