Calendar apps cited as new tool in cheating, investigators say

Shared calendar apps are becoming a new cover for affairs, according to a private investigator in London. Paul Evans of I-Spy Detectives says cheaters increasingly use coded calendar entries to plan meetings with lovers, listing routine-sounding items such as 'doctor's appointment' or 'coffee catch-up' that may mask something illicit.

Evans told Metro that calendar evidence can be harder to erase than text messages, because calendars and notifications can linger on a phone for months, especially if a partner never opens them. In multiple cases, what appears to be a standard work meeting or health appointment hides repeated patterns that point to adulterous meetings, such as entries labeled 'team lunch' or 'client call' that align with times away from home.

But Evans cautions that not every calendar entry signals cheating. Scheduled events do not necessarily indicate wrongdoing, and a change in routine should not be treated as proof. Still, persistent shifts—like consistently working late on a certain day with no calls or explanations—can be worth questioning, and partners are advised to ask direct questions rather than rummaging through phones.

The discussion is not unique to Evans. Paul Jones of ARF Investigators has highlighted other subtle cues that can slip by unnoticed, including a toothbrush-related clue. He recounts a case in which a smart electric toothbrush app logged late-morning brushing sessions on Fridays, times when the husband claimed to be at work, revealing a private arrangement at home with a coworker.

Micro-cheating has entered the mainstream, with psychologist Melanie Schilling popularizing the term to describe behaviors that test a partner's emotional or physical commitment. Abby Medcalf, a psychologist and author, says many micro-cheating acts occur online, such as texting or direct messaging a coworker, liking a co-worker's photo, or checking Slack more often than usual. Marriage.com has reported that between 10% and 25% of couples cheat, and about 20% of those never admit the affair.

Experts emphasize that technology can reveal patterns, not definitive proof. Suspicious partners are urged to discuss concerns openly, rather than defaulting to phone snooping, and to seek guidance if needed while avoiding unfounded accusations. The overall takeaway is that fidelity investigations increasingly involve data from everyday devices, requiring careful interpretation and sensitivity to privacy concerns.