TSCM During Divorce: Are You Being Surveilled?

Surveillance by an ex-partner — more common than you think

Divorce is one of the most emotionally charged situations a person can face. When trust between partners breaks down, the desire to control, monitor, or gain an advantage in legal proceedings can drive one party to cross ethical and legal boundaries. Surveillance of an ex-partner through hidden listening devices, GPS trackers, spyware on phones, and concealed cameras is a reality that family law attorneys and counsellors encounter with increasing frequency.

The technology required is inexpensive and widely available. A GPS tracker costs less than fifty euros and can be attached to a vehicle in seconds. Spyware that records calls, reads messages, and tracks location can be installed on a smartphone in minutes if someone has brief access to the device. A miniature audio recorder can be hidden inside a child’s toy, a power strip, or a kitchen appliance. These are not hypothetical scenarios. They are documented cases that SAJ Recherche has investigated.

A professional TSCM inspection determines whether your home, vehicle, or personal devices are compromised, giving you back your privacy and your safety.

How ex-partners conduct surveillance

Understanding the methods used helps you recognise the signs. The most common forms of surveillance during divorce proceedings include:

• GPS trackers on vehicles: small magnetic devices placed under the chassis or inside the bumper to monitor movements in real time via a smartphone app
• Listening devices in the home: microphones hidden in power sockets, extension cords, smoke detectors, or everyday objects, transmitting audio via GSM or Wi-Fi
• Spyware on phones and tablets: applications that silently record calls, copy messages, track location, and even activate the microphone or camera remotely
• Hidden cameras: pinhole cameras in clocks, picture frames, or household appliances that record or stream video
• Smart home exploitation: using shared access to smart thermostats, doorbells, baby monitors, or home security systems to monitor activity after separation
• Digital account access: continued access to email, cloud storage, social media, or banking through shared passwords or linked devices that were never disconnected

Many of these methods constitute criminal offences under Dutch law, including violation of privacy (Article 139a-139e of the Dutch Criminal Code) and stalking (Article 285b). Evidence of such surveillance can also influence proceedings before the family court.

Signs that you may be under surveillance

Certain patterns should raise your suspicion, particularly during or after a contentious separation:

• Your ex-partner seems to know details about conversations held in your home or car
• They make references to your movements, meetings, or activities that they should have no way of knowing
• Your phone behaves unusually: battery drains quickly, the device runs warm when not in use, or unfamiliar apps appear
• Your vehicle shows signs of tampering near the undercarriage or wheel arches
• Smart home devices behave unexpectedly or show activity at times you were not home
• You discover that your ex-partner has been accessing your email or online accounts

If any of these apply to your situation, a TSCM inspection can confirm or rule out the presence of surveillance devices and digital compromise.

What a TSCM inspection covers in divorce situations

SAJ Recherche conducts TSCM inspections tailored to the personal nature of domestic surveillance situations:

• Vehicle sweep: comprehensive scan for GPS trackers, including magnetic devices, hardwired units, and OBD-port trackers, using radio frequency detection and physical inspection
• Home inspection: room-by-room sweep using spectrum analysis, Non-Linear Junction Detection (NLJD), camera lens detection, and physical examination of fixtures, appliances, and personal items
• Phone and device check: examination of smartphones, tablets, and laptops for spyware, stalkerware, and unauthorised tracking applications
• Smart home audit: review of connected devices, including security cameras, smart speakers, baby monitors, and thermostats, for unauthorised access or monitoring
• Digital account review: assessment of whether email, cloud storage, or social media accounts show signs of unauthorised access from unfamiliar devices or locations

All findings are documented in a confidential report. If devices or software are discovered, SAJ Recherche advises on safe removal, evidence preservation for court proceedings, and filing a police report.

Your privacy is your right — a practical example

A woman going through divorce proceedings noticed that her ex-partner consistently seemed aware of her attorney’s strategy, including details discussed only during private phone calls from her home. She contacted SAJ Recherche for a TSCM inspection. The sweep identified a GSM-based audio transmitter concealed inside a multi-socket power strip in the living room, and spyware on her smartphone that had been recording calls and forwarding messages. Both were documented, the devices preserved as evidence, and the findings submitted to her family law attorney. The evidence of illegal surveillance significantly influenced the court’s assessment of the case.

No one has the right to surveil you, regardless of the circumstances of your separation. A TSCM inspection restores your certainty that your conversations, movements, and digital life are private. It also provides evidence that can be decisive in legal proceedings.

Do you suspect you are being surveilled during a divorce? Get in touch with SAJ Recherche for a confidential consultation.