The ABA Journal reported that Brian Byrd, 26 and his wife Chrystal, 24, are suing Aarons, Inc. They are alleging Aaron's installed software that could monitor key strokes, capture desktop images, and worst of all use the included WebCam to view and snap pictures. The young couple had no idea they were being spied on and probably never would have known, if the store manager hadn't mistakenly tried to repossess the computer. During a discussion with Brian, the store manager produced a picture of Brian Byrd that was taken by the computers webcam. read the rest
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Aarons Rent-to-Own Spying on Customers with Webcams...
creepy.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
That's going to leave a mark in Aaron's wallet...
I remember back in the good old days when being a "peeping tom" was against the law...now it IS the law. This is just scary on so many levels.
I recall a similar story regarding laptops sent home with school students. It came to light when one of the little darlings was "counseled" on his at home behavior that had been caught on camera. So it isn't just "Rent-to-own" businesses that would have this capability in their PC's.
Is this just the tip of an iceberg? Anyone want to bet the technology isn't available for ANY of the newer products?
Since I began blogging I've always take for granted the idea I'm on someone's "watch list". The name "Subvet" isn't in the phone directory but undoubtedly that presents a very small hurdle for anyone with the right knowledge who wants to keep tabs on us. Like many of us I hold strong opinions and don't mind airing them. As a matter of fact, it was my wife who encouraged me to start blogging so I would leave her alone!
Bet I'm not the only one either. So any one of us might presently be monitored for ungood thoughts.
If this sounds paranoid, remember how the DHS sent a memo out to all police departments regarding potential right-wing terrorists.
This was brought to mind by a recent event at my home. I went online early one morning and checked my blog. Just happening to glance at the top I noticed my screen name had been replaced by my actual name. Not only that, it was a more informal form of my first name than was used ANYWHERE in my blogger account (Pete instead of Peter). I routinely use the more informal form.
Needless to say, I quickly corrected the problem. But I still haven't figured out how that happened. Someone, somehow, got into my account and modified my blog design. It was almost like having my chain jerked just for the hell of it.
Am I paranoid? Even if I am, sometimes paranoids are correct.
See you in the reeducation camps
I hoe the owner of that franchise loses this suit big time. You have to wonder who else is spying on people besides the government of course. Yet we sheep will sit back and do nothing as our "leaders" renew the Patriot Act. Sigh!
It's not hard to hack into a web cam. I'm surprised you do not hear more about this.
I would think this could hurt Aaron's bottom line.
Creepy is about right. Also, Subvet is quite right. You'd be surprised to know how many times DHS has viewed my blog. They show up on my tracker fairly regularly.
Adrienne,
What a scary post! That doesn't seem like it can even be legal, but with things the way they are today it doesn't raise much of an eyebrow. That's the sad part!
I hope that couple sue Aaron's, get a nice settlement, AND get their rights to continue doing this revoked.
Post a Comment