If you’re buying a social media spy tool to spy on some random person’s social media conversations, you’re breaking the law. However, if you’re using it to monitor your own child, and they’re under 18 and live under your care, then you can legally monitor their activity without informing them. That’s the law in most jurisdictions, but you should check with your local laws before purchasing any spy social media software. There are a few other instances where it is acceptable to use apps that monitor social media. If you are using the app as a backup tool to monitor your own social media, you are allowed to since there is no other person involved and you’re essentially just mirroring your own activity. And you can also use a social spyer to monitor an adult if you have their explicit written permission and they are aware that you’re doing so.