A device which enables anyone to “spy on your wife, husband, teens or colleague” by reading their text messages, including those which have been deleted, is being sold by a New York firm.
The gadget, advertised as a “little gem”, can read a mobile phone’s Sim card and the data can then be transferred to any computer with a USB port.
The user’s phonebook, text messages – including any which have been deleted - and any other information stored on the Sim card can be downloaded.
The device, which costs $149 (€100.50), can “tap into all files” on a Sim card “for viewing, saving or editing”, according to the firm’s website.
It added: “Have you ever wished you can spy on your wife, husband, teens, or colleague phone to see what they are up to? Are they being suspicious when on their cell phone?”
Todd Morris, president of BrickHouse Security, which is selling the device, said it was the first Sim card reader which could access deleted messages.
He said many people find out their worst fears are justified when they spy on someone.
“About half of spouses find something bad on their partner’s phone,” he told the New York Post newspaper.
“They think they’re deleting their messages, but they’re wrong.”