The first convicted spyware maker in over a decade has avoided jail time after pleading guilty to U.S. federal charges related to his surveillance company, pcTattletale.

Bryan Fleming was sentenced on Friday in San Diego federal court to serve no additional time and pay a $5,000 fine. During a plea hearing in January 2026, he admitted to making, selling, and advertising spyware for unlawful uses.

His case marks the first successful prosecution of a spyware maker by the U.S. Department of Justice since 2014, potentially opening the door for future actions against similar operators. Fleming’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

In his business, he facilitated the installation of surveillance apps like pcTattletale, which could be covertly planted on a victim's device without their knowledge or consent. Once deployed, these apps would stealthily upload victims' messages, photos and real-time locations to the spyder.

The severity of his actions was highlighted by a 2024 data breach revealing that millions of screen captures were being shared openly online, including sensitive hotel check-in details from several U.S. hotels. Despite warnings, Fleming did not address these security issues before ultimately shutting down pcTattletale in the wake of a high-profile hack.