Stalkerware apps PhoneSpector and Highster appear shut down after NY settlement

TechCrunch reports that consumer stalkerware apps PhoneSpector and Highster have gone offline after their owner, Patrick Hinchy, settled with the New York Attorney General for allegedly promoting covert spyware, agreeing to pay $410,000 and to notify device owners; associated domains, infrastructure, and support lines are down, and company filings appear past due. The article situates these shutdowns within a broader regulatory crackdown, citing earlier FTC actions against Retina-X and SpyFone/SpyTrac and noting unanswered questions about settlement compliance.