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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU going through his phone

52 replies

user1467114819 · 05/11/2023 18:24

So long story.. I suspected husband was hiding something (not the first time really) so I browsed at his phone on Friday just because I wanted to know, wasn’t surprised when I found messages to some woman, didn’t read through them all but enough to know they’ve met up etc etc, I didn’t even bother mentioning it because I couldn’t be bothered with the Agro, he then went out that night and had the cheek to text me saying how he wants another baby (we have one child who’s 11) so I couldn’t stop myself confronting him that I knew what he was up to, why the hell would I want another baby with him, he lied a bit and then eventually must of realised I actually had seen messages and said ‘well we just went on 2 casual dates’ so anyway today me and daughter were out of the house all day and he out of the blue this morning starts texting going completely nuts about the fact that I looked at his phone, turned it around on me and basically said ‘you should be lucky I’m still around you would be homeless without me etc’ I then told him ‘if you want to leave them leave I’m really not bothered’ but all I asked was that he doesn’t cause drama in front our child she’s so sensitive I don’t want that worry and stress on her right now, he then proceeded to send a photo of suitcases saying ‘I’ve packed everything I’m going’ I told him ‘ok go that’s fine, but can you please tell ‘our child’ that you are working away for now until I can ease her into the idea not just springing that on her’ he then kicked off again saying it’s my problem and actually text our daughter saying ‘I’m leaving for good I’ll come see you once or twice a month’ luckily I managed to get to the text and delete before she seen it .. the only thing I wanted from him was to spare our daughters feelings and not put her through that right now, yes I know eventually she would need to know but not like that. I then started ignoring his messages as we were out, i then had another message saying ‘well if you want me to stay for ‘our child’s’ sake then I’ll stay but I’m not paying anything’ I said ‘I didn’t ask you to stay I asked you to not tell our child in that way and just say you are working away for now’ and he says ‘I’m staying but I’m paying no rent no bills nothing, that’s the price you pay if you want me not to tell ‘our child’ anything’ like wtf! So basically he doesn’t tell her about the issues (he knows I worry about upsetting her etc and it’s not fair on any child to have that drama) but he lives in the house and doesn’t pay towards anything, he works in a very well paid job most of the time working away, I work part time in a much less paid job as I’m the one who looks after our child. So after the very long story, my question is have I caused this drama and aibu by going through his phone in the first place?

OP posts:
Willyoujustbequiet · 07/11/2023 12:25

Catza · 07/11/2023 11:04

"Impossible to prove" doesn't make it any more lawful or ethical. If I steal my neighbour's car, I am still a thief whether they catch me or not.
In order for the right to protect yourself to outweigh right to privacy, there has to be a reasonable suspicion of an immediate threat. Playing secret squirrel neither offers you any particular protection nor proves the reasonable and immediate threat. It is a weak argument to justify violating someone else's privacy.

Just because my partner's condition may endanger my own health, I don't have the right to use my position to access their medical notes. The regulations are quite clear on that and their phone (which contains access codes to their banking, medicals, emails, HMRC and other sensitive information) is no different.

Stealing an animal is hardly the same as glancing at phone in a house you share with someone when you've likely done it a million times before with consent. Ridiculous comparison.

My friend had a very narrow escape ( although still has to await further testing in a few months) when her partner knowingly exposed her to HIV. She followed her gut and bloody good job she did. The police didn't have any issue with it either, but most certainly did with his actions.

I think you are very much out of step with the majority I'm afraid.

Right

Catza · 07/11/2023 12:47

TheresaOfAvila · 07/11/2023 12:10

Do you take the same sanctimonious view of him lying and cheating- because what everyone hears is “It’s OK for him to cheat, including compromising your health, until he tells you himself”.

People who always bleat on about privacy, are always silent when it comes to integrity- because their actions so often demonstrate that privacy is something they value, but integrity isn’t.

No I don't. I think lying and cheating is deplorable (but not illegal). The question asked was "am I wrong for looking at his phone", the answer is yes. What you are doing is strawmanning my argument whereas I did not at any point condone his behavious. If relationship has deteriorated to the point where one person is lying and another is disregarding fundamental rights of their partner, it is a non-starter. Two wrongs don't make it right.
What exactly has been achieved by looking through his phone? And I bet top dollar for every person who found something by looking at their partner's phone there are dozens more who haven't found anything yet routinely snooping around under the excuse that they have the right to do so to protect their health. Both behaviours are out of order, if I do indeed need to spell it out for you.

Isheabastard · 07/11/2023 13:28

You can’t let him hold you to ransom because he says he’ll tell your Dd he’s moving out and leaving as bluntly as possible. This just shows how low he’ll go to get his own way. And this won’t be the end of it. This will be the blackmail he uses to get away with more and more stuff.

I think you’ll just have to lie or be devious here. Is there any way you can convince him she’s seen his texts already and you can tell him to move out.

Then you can tell her in a way that softens the blow.

PS. I think it’s fine to look through a partners phone, if you are happy to tell them you did it and you need that information to end your marriage/relationship.

RedCoffeeCup · 07/11/2023 13:32

Kick him out OP. The phone thing is a red herring, he needs to go. Better to tell your DD upfront than hiding the issues.

NotObligedToArgueWithStrangers · 07/11/2023 13:35

He's kicking off about the phone snooping to detract from the fact that he's a cheating arsehole who clearly doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself. Of course YANBU.

Userwithallthenumbers · 07/11/2023 13:38

Deflection. His anger over the phone is because he got caught. As your husband, the only person he should be going on dates with is you.

Your D will survive, tell her the truth, she is old enough to understand, regardless of how sensitive she might be. He is manipulating you.

TheresaOfAvila · 07/11/2023 22:32

Catza · 07/11/2023 12:47

No I don't. I think lying and cheating is deplorable (but not illegal). The question asked was "am I wrong for looking at his phone", the answer is yes. What you are doing is strawmanning my argument whereas I did not at any point condone his behavious. If relationship has deteriorated to the point where one person is lying and another is disregarding fundamental rights of their partner, it is a non-starter. Two wrongs don't make it right.
What exactly has been achieved by looking through his phone? And I bet top dollar for every person who found something by looking at their partner's phone there are dozens more who haven't found anything yet routinely snooping around under the excuse that they have the right to do so to protect their health. Both behaviours are out of order, if I do indeed need to spell it out for you.

Oh yes in an ideal situation she would nonchalantly dump him, and be unmoved by the never ending taunts of how she is mad. Or wait until he accidentally drops the information into her lap.

But some people aren’t perfect, and the ones who do it repeatedly know they are risking their relationship.
This OP got months or years of her life back.

I waited until the information came into my lap from his being “a fucking moron”, (one of his common jibs at me), it didn’t save me any heartache, nor my kids. In fact, all that time where I didn’t look was a period of time where not looking was held as a measure of my foolishness and deserving to be cheated on. If (and there is no “if” in reality) OP will be criticized regardless of what course of action she takes, she may as well please herself.

If the relationship is over anyway, the feeling of doing the classy thing, when he is a grubby little shit, isn’t all that special. I’m not really sure it has much ti recommend it.

Suusue · 08/11/2023 15:43

Get rid of him.

RantyAnty · 08/11/2023 15:58

Catza · 07/11/2023 09:59

Why not what? Why not go through your partner's phone? Because it violates basic privacy laws. You don't own your partner, you are not entitled to their privacy. If they gave you consent to look through their phone, it's fine. If they didn't and they have capacity to make this decision, you are acting unlawfully.

ODFOD

Catza · 08/11/2023 16:05

RantyAnty · 08/11/2023 15:58

ODFOD

the feeling is mutual

RantyAnty · 08/11/2023 16:06

Try to ignore the usual derailers.

How long ago did this happen?

The advice about women's aid and speaking with a solicitor is good. Please do that as soon as you can.

Your 11 will know about the tension in the house and his shit behavior as it isn't the first time he's been manipulative and vile.
She isn't as fragile as you may thing either.

You can her gently without all the details that he's a lying cheat. Here is one suggestion. I'm sure others can think of something better.

"DD, I need to talk to you about something important. Your dad and I have been having some problems, and he's going to be living in a different place for a while. It's not because of anything you did, and we both love you very much. We're here for you, and we'll get through this together"

GabriellaMontez · 08/11/2023 16:13

If she's a sensitive child, the last thing she needs is to live with this man in the house. She'll have picked up on the atmosphere.

Do yourselves a favour. See a solicitor. Plan to leave.

Littlelucas · 08/11/2023 16:18

he then proceeded to send a photo of suitcases saying ‘I’ve packed everything I’m going

Good grief, what a bellend.

You sound like you're really not bothered about him leaving OP apart from the fact you don't want to upset your dd. She'll be fine, she might be upset at first but eventually she'll be fine. You can't stay with a cheating, lying, manipulative bastard for the rest of your life bc you're worried about your child being upset. You have (rightly) already checked out from this relationship as you know he's no good.

I mean, the likelihood is he's shagged this woman at least once. That's rank.

Littlelucas · 08/11/2023 16:20

Oh, and as for going through his phone - if I had good reason to believe my dh was cheating I'd go through his phone without a second thought. Who gives a shit about privacy laws? Ridiculous, some posters live in lala land.

Raindancer411 · 08/11/2023 16:22

I know you don't want to tell her but to be honest, do you want her to then feel you have lied to her by not telling her an honest truth. She needs to be able to trust at least one of her parents and she needs you on her side.

Don't give him the control and go see a solicitor.

Ibizafun · 08/11/2023 16:29

Op I've been where you are- trying to protect my kids from who he really is. I can tell you now it just confuses them more. You can't hide it from your dd at her age. Now's the time you have to be strong and have an honest conversation with her. After that, he has nothing to blackmail you with.

And why on earth would you not have gone through his phone?.. for more years of this life?

I can't undo the damage to my kids from their dad's behaviour (even worse than what you describe). But I have given them the most incredible step dad and role model of a healthy relationship, good atmosphere at home etc. I would've hated for them to think that was normal. You have no choice but to get rid of him.

Mumeries · 08/11/2023 16:36

Well if you didn’t go through his phone you wouldn’t have seen and you have the right to know so

DRS1970 · 08/11/2023 16:44

You shouldn't have gone through his phone. But you did, and found out your husband is cheating on you. Then when confronted about it he emotionally blackmails you using your child as leverage. He is an absolute horror, and you are right to want him out of your lives. You shouldn't have gone through his phone, but he shouldn't be a cheating, manipulative, selfish t##t either.

Ibizafun · 08/11/2023 16:55

Of course in this case she should absolutely have gone through his phone.

Nanny0gg · 08/11/2023 17:03

RosiePeel · 05/11/2023 18:46

God I get so infuriated with the whole “you shouldn’t have gone through his phone”. why fucking not?!

YANBU. He sounds absolutely manipulative and vile. Agree with pp you should tell your DD.

Quite

Nanny0gg · 08/11/2023 17:05

Catza · 05/11/2023 20:10

Years ago I would still consider it to be inappropriate to check pockets. Your partner is not your property and you are not entitled to their privacy. If you don’t trust them, that’s a whole different issue that checking pockets ain’t going to solve.

Finding the evidence is pretty useful.

It's nothing to do with anyone being 'property' and if you cheat then you deserve to be find out

Nanny0gg · 08/11/2023 17:07

RantyAnty · 08/11/2023 16:06

Try to ignore the usual derailers.

How long ago did this happen?

The advice about women's aid and speaking with a solicitor is good. Please do that as soon as you can.

Your 11 will know about the tension in the house and his shit behavior as it isn't the first time he's been manipulative and vile.
She isn't as fragile as you may thing either.

You can her gently without all the details that he's a lying cheat. Here is one suggestion. I'm sure others can think of something better.

"DD, I need to talk to you about something important. Your dad and I have been having some problems, and he's going to be living in a different place for a while. It's not because of anything you did, and we both love you very much. We're here for you, and we'll get through this together"

He clearly doesn't love his daughter very much to have sent her that picture.

The OP mustn't lie. She shouldn't tell her the unvarnished truth so all she can do is assure her that she isn't going to leave her and that they will be okay together

Nanny0gg · 08/11/2023 17:08

Catza · 07/11/2023 09:59

Why not what? Why not go through your partner's phone? Because it violates basic privacy laws. You don't own your partner, you are not entitled to their privacy. If they gave you consent to look through their phone, it's fine. If they didn't and they have capacity to make this decision, you are acting unlawfully.

What law?

I'd love to see a wronged spouse arrested for going through a phone!

Whiteday · 09/11/2023 06:42

@Catza if it's unlawful then let him call the police...... I'm sure they'll get someone on that right away! 🙄

LoneFemaleTraveller · 09/11/2023 06:45

He needs to leave. Tell him to leave.

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