RESPECTING privacy is crucial in a healthy union. Then again, some people will say that there should be no secrets in a relationship. But searching a partner’s phone without consent can erode trust, invade privacy, and lead to misunderstandings. It can also open a can of worms that you weren’t prepared for, as the people below found.

Marc, 33:

I searched her phone to see what she was up to, as I suspected that she was stepping out on me. What I found instead was a conversation in her family WhatsApp group that alluded to, let’s just say, improper conduct of one family member against his very close teenage relative and all the upstanding Christians in the group planning ways to not have him prosecuted and helping him to leave the country. Of course, I can’t say anything to my wife, but I’m very conflicted, and Christmas dinner will surely be awkward for us this year.

Isram, 27:

I was worried about her gym trainer, as this man just can’t help being a playboy. She always told me I was over-reacting, but I ‘pripsed’ at her phone anyway. Well, I found that it wasn’t the trainer I was to be worried about. My girlfriend had content on OnlyFans, and not only that, she’s active on Tinder and Bumble — as a girl seeking to meet up with other girls.

Melodie, 30:

The woman he told me not to worry about, the one he said was ugly and looked manly? She had a son some months ago that is dead stamp of my man, and he has baby photos all over his phone, and baby shower photos, too, with him and her playing baby shower games. Trust me, the way I was shocked, if I had more time I would have probably bucked up on wedding photos too.

Viv, 36:

My husband and my neighbour were flirting like crazy — they were using iMessage instead of WhatsApp to hide their deeds. He always told me she was fat and loud and he couldn’t stand her.

Amy, 44:

My man was planning with his brothers to have me co-sign a loan for him for him to run off and make a better life in the US. One of them suggested that he could fake his death after he landed so insurance would cover the debt. There was no mention of what would happen with me, just them scheming to have the American dream.