By Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A security firm hired by Britney Spears’ father monitored the pop singer’s phone calls and text messages during the court-sanctioned conservatorship she has lived under since 2008, according to a New York Times documentary released on Friday.

Alex Vlasov (a former Black Box Security employee) said that he “mirrored” Britney Spears’ iPad using her iCloud account. Vlasov stated that her bedroom also had a listening device.

According to him, he was requested to encrypt Spears’ texts in order to send them to Jamie Spears (her father) and an employee from a business management agency he hired.

Vlasov asked him about the monitoring and he replied that Britney’s communications had been reviewed “for her security and protection”, and that both the conservatorship court and her attorney were aware of the situation. According to Vlasov, the monitoring involved discussions between Britney and Sam Ingham.

Vivian Thoreen (an attorney for Jamie Spears) did not comment on specific allegations. However, he stated that his actions fell within the bounds of authority granted to him by court and were done “with the knowledge and consent” of Britney Spears and her court-appointed attorney.

Thoreen said that Jamie’s records as conservator and approval by the court of his actions “speak for themselves” and stated that Jamie Spears helped her daughter to rehabilitate and improve her financial position.

In a documentary statement, Edan Yemini, a lawyer representing Black Box Security President, stated that “Mr. Yemini’s and Black Box have maintained a professional, ethical, and legal standard and are proud to have kept Ms. Spears protected for so many years.”

Britney Spears wants to end Jamie Spears’ conservatorship. It was established in 2008 by Jamie Spears to manage his daughter’s affairs and oversee her $60 million estate. In June, the “Stronger” singer stated that the arrangement was humiliating and abusive. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-britney-spears-idCAKCN2DZ0TY

In a surprise move earlier in September, Jamie Spears said that he supported ending the conservatorship https://www.reuters.com/world/us/britney-spears-father-asks-court-end-singers-conservatorship-media-reports-2021-09-07 because circumstances had changed. The case will be heard in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday.

Mathew Rosegart, Spears’ new lawyer, stated that he will investigate these allegations.

According to the statement, “Intercepting Britney’s communications and monitoring them, particularly those of sacrosanct lawyer-client communications” was a shocking and alarming violation of her civil and privacy rights. It would be especially disgraceful to place a listening device inside Britney’s bed room.

The Friday evening release of “Controlling Britney Spears”, was broadcast on FX and Hulu. This follows the “Framing Britney Spears” documentary, which was made by the same filmmakers and debuted back in February.