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Suit against PC renter raises privacy questions

Seeded on Wed May 4, 2011 7:29 PM EDT
Read ArticleArticle Source: Yahoo! News
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You didn't pay your bill. We need our computer back. And here's a picture of you typing away on it, the computer rental company told a client as it tried to repossess the machine.

Those allegations appear in a federal lawsuit alleging that the firm, Atlanta-based Aaron's Inc., loaded computers with spyware to track renters' keystrokes, make screenshots and even take webcam images of them using the devices at home. The suit filed by a Wyoming couple Tuesday raises anew questions of how invasive custodians of technology should be in protecting their equipment.

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PowerIsKnowledge

What has this world come to when companies can invade our privacy like this? These renters should have been given the option of whether or not they wanted to rent the computer with the spy program. I hope they sue Aaron's out of business!

  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Wed May 4, 2011 7:31 PM EDT
FDBryant3

I don't have a problem with them doing it given 2 conditions:

1) You are notified of the software and its function when you sign your contracts for the computer

2) That if you take ownership of the system the software is removed

It sounds like neither of these conditions was met which may be a violation and proper grounds for a lawsuit.

  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Wed May 4, 2011 10:34 PM EDT
jdl-28

As cheap as computers are why would anyone want to rent one, but if you do they should inform you of their spyware. Than again if they can watch you in your own home over a webcam there is something really wrong with that.

So if you rent a computer when you get home format the hard disk and into your own operating system, problem solve.

  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Fri May 6, 2011 1:14 PM EDT
FDBryant3

Eh I could see circumstances where it might make sense to rent rather than buy (going on a trip, emergency while your getting your main computer fixed) but I can't understand rent-to-own. I use to work for Aaron's and honestly the rent to own model is a pretty bad deal. If your going to insist on buying on credit your probably better off just putting it on a credit card.

  • 3 votes
#3.1 - Fri May 6, 2011 1:28 PM EDT
Reply
anonymous-1077600

I hope that couple wins the case.

  • 1 vote
Reply#4 - Fri May 6, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
PowerIsKnowledge

So do I anonymous.

  • 2 votes
#4.1 - Sat May 7, 2011 6:21 AM EDT
anonymous-1077600

Thanks for the seed powerisknowledge did you see the recent one on Sony being sued for their tracking their customers on their phones. I'm sure you did, it is amazing what companies think they can get away with.

  • 1 vote
#4.2 - Sun May 8, 2011 7:55 PM EDT
PowerIsKnowledge

You're absolutely correct!

I'm going off topic for a moment. Recently, I tried to get Verizon to remove my number from their call list and from their mailing list. It took over a week to get them to remove my number from their call list but, in order to get them to remove my mailing address from the mailing list, I have to pay some agency to place my information on a do not mail junk list.

Why do I have to pay for the right for privacy? Why can't I say who can send me mail and who can't?

  • 3 votes
#4.3 - Mon May 9, 2011 8:06 AM EDT
anonymous-1077600

To your off topic comment, that is sad that you have to pay for your own privacy, agreed!

  • 1 vote
#4.4 - Mon May 9, 2011 8:29 AM EDT
FDBryant3

Because the US Postal system is a public resource and your address is a matter of public record. There is no privacy there.

  • 3 votes
#4.5 - Mon May 9, 2011 12:54 PM EDT
PowerIsKnowledge

I hadn't thought of that FDBryant3, thanks. But that's a damn shame!

  • 3 votes
#4.6 - Mon May 9, 2011 2:36 PM EDT
anonymous-1077600

Thanks for that FDB - I'm with powerisknowledge-hadn't thought of that.

    #4.7 - Thu May 12, 2011 8:50 PM EDT
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