1. Smart Home Cameras / CCTV Systems

• What it looks like: A perpetrator gains access to indoor or outdoor cameras and watches the victim in real time, or reviews footage of who comes and goes.
• How it’s done: Through saved credentials, shared apps, or remote admin access.
• Red flag: The victim notices comments about movements or visitors they never shared.

2. Smart Doorbells (e.g., Ring, Nest Hello)

• What it looks like: The abuser watches who visits, listens to door conversations, or even speaks through the device remotely.
• How it’s done: Most smart doorbells allow live-streaming from anywhere once logged into the app.

3. Smart Locks and Alarms

• What it looks like: The stalker disables alarms or unlocks doors remotely.
• How it’s done: Many people forget to change access codes or revoke permissions when a relationship ends.

4. Wi-Fi Routers and Device Logs

• What it looks like: Tracking internet activity, websites visited, or even connected devices in the home.
• How it’s done: Through administrator access to the router, often left unchanged by victims.

5. Baby Monitors / Nanny Cams

• What it looks like: Remote access to audio or video feeds.
• How it’s done: Some older models are notoriously easy to hack or may have been set up by the abuser initially.

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🧠 Psychological Motivation Behind This Behavior

Stalking via internal systems is rarely about safety. It’s about domination, obsession, and fear of losing control.

These stalkers are often:

• Obsessively possessive: They see their partner as an object to monitor, not a person with autonomy.
• Highly manipulative: They may claim, “It’s for your protection,” or, “I just wanted to know if you’re okay.”
• Technologically savvy: Often narcissists or coercive controllers who know how to exploit digital systems.
• Unable to let go: Common in post-separation abuse, where stalking escalates after a victim tries to leave.

This behavior is not love. It’s digital stalking, and it is illegal in many countries, including Spain under Ley de Violencia de Género and Article 197 of the Penal Code.

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🛡️ What You Can Do: Safety Steps

1. Change All Passwords

• Not just on the security system—on Wi-Fi, emails, cloud accounts, app stores, everything.

2. Factory Reset or Replace Devices

• If you suspect tampering or hidden access, it’s safer to reset or remove the system entirely.

3. Use Two-Factor Authentication

• Make it harder to regain access, even if your login is discovered.

4. Check Admin Logs

• Some apps show when someone logs in or accesses live video.

5. Involve Authorities or Legal Counsel

• If you’re in Spain, the use of smart technology to monitor or stalk you may qualify for legal protection under domestic violence laws.

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✍️ Suggested Social Media Caption (Informational)

🔒 When “Security” Becomes Surveillance
Home should be safe—but what if your own cameras, doorbells, or baby monitors are being used to watch you?

Abusers can and do use home security systems to stalk, intimidate, and control their partners. This isn’t protection. It’s digital abuse.

👉 Smart devices can be hacked, misused, and accessed remotely.
👉 Many survivors discover their ex is still “watching” even after they’ve left.
👉 In Spain, this could qualify as a crime under Article 197 and as gender-based digital violence.

You have the right to privacy—even in your own home.

#DigitalAbuse #TechStalking #SmartHomeSafety #GenderViolenceLaw #Article197 #SurvivorSupport #BoundariesMatter

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— Linda C J Turner

Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment