WTF company spies on customers

[Parts]

Suit against PC renter raises privacy questions

PITTSBURGH – 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.

Computer privacy experts said Aaron's, a major furniture rental chain, has the right to equip its computers with software it can use to shut off the devices remotely if customers stop paying their bills, but they must be told if they're being monitored.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110504/ap_on_re_us/us_rental_computer_spyware

Hope nobody is using one of there machines here   This is just wrong how can they even remotely thing this was a good idea.

[TheoK]

Hell, yeah, I'm confused for sure;
what I thought was twenty eleven
is Nineteen Eighty-Four! 

[RageBeoulve]

LOL buisinesses have been doing this since it was possible.

['Butterflies']

That is horrible, although I can't believe anybody would choose to rent a computer. I kinda feel computers are private. I'd hate to have people able to see everything I'd used my computer for

[TheoK]

The state probably does. It will do here in Sweden beginning the next year, if the bastards don't do it already. There have been some delays, although the law partially went in effect on the 1st of January 2009: FRA law

 

[RageBeoulve]

The origin of spyware, corporate intrest.

[Osensitive1]

Thanks, Parts.

[eris]

OMG I used to work there !!!!!!!

[Parts]

OMG I used to work there !!!!!!!

So did you save any special photos

[eris]

aww shucks i forgot

and anyone that would buy a computer from Aarons is stupid

a 300$ laptop is like 999$ there, and then they charge you 15$ a month just because.

That whole place is a scam.

[Parts]

All those rent to own places are.  Ever notice they set them up in poor areas where the people have few other choices.  It's a rather scummy business IMO

[Squidusa]

Imagine if they took a picture during a private moment. 

[midlifeaspie]

This company preys on the poor, so I am not surprised.

[TheoK]

They should die. 

[DukeNukem]

15 dollars a month? Try 200 dollars a month (for 24 months), for a laptop not worth more than 600 dollars. From Ripoff-A-Center.

As far as I am concerned, this is a victim-less crime. Anyone with half a fucking brain should know that rent-to-own deals are nothing but legal scams. In fact, I think these idiots full well deserve to have their privacy infringed like that because they have no common sense and don't deserve any dignity, let alone any refunds nor lawsuit settlements. Fuck them. And fuck all rent-to-own places.

Not to mention that Hulk Hogan is a piece of shit who should be burnt to death. Along with John Madden.