You may have legitimate reasons for keeping a tab on individuals. You might be looking out for their safety, or protecting your own interests.

Nevertheless, your relationship with the person you’re spying on could be damaged forever if they find out. That’s why stealth matters.

What are some ethical examples of spying?

A parent could spy on their children to protect them. Children are naturally rebellious and don’t like being supervised. If you do it openly, they may find ways to avoid supervision. Sometimes, spying is the only way to keep them safe.

Another ethical example is employee monitoring. If you’re an employer, you might want to verify your employees’ loyalty and ensure they’re not colluding with competitors. Monitoring can also help maintain productivity and focus during working hours.