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Spying Allegations Against a Computer Rental Store

A couple from Wyoming alleged a furniture rental chain for installing spyware on the laptops for rental purpose without the consent of the clients. Webcam photos are clicked through the system and the use of the same is also being monitored by the owner, according to the news published in Forbes on May 03, 2011.

As per the lawsuit filed in the US Federal court in Pennsylvania on May 03, 2011 by the Wyoming couples against Aaron's Inc, the firm installs surveillance devices or software on computers to monitor a customer without prior notification. According to the attorneys claim, this accord is against technology law and violation of federal privacy.

Annie Anton, a professor and computer privacy expert with North Carolina State University accorded that one has all the rights to be aware of the constraints of a computer system while renting it, reports The Washington Post on May 03, 2011.

The claim further revealed that it's been a regular practice with the Aaron's to intercept into the private life of customers and remotely access every type of data, information, or images that are captured through webcams and stored for future use.

The Wyoming couple agreed of being unaware of this misdemeanor by their retailer.

The Wyoming couple had also alleged Pennsylvania-based DesignerWare, which used to provide Aaron with the spying software.

In a similar incident in 2009, SpectorSoft Corp., a computer monitoring company was sued for selling software to the spouse of a Tennessee man, for monitoring confidentially all computer activity by the victim.

Thomas Hayes from Tennessee accused the company with the same charge that the Wyoming couple had against Aaron's i.e. violation of privacy. According to judgment in Hayes' case, a software providing company is not liable to venture into the privacy of customers' life.

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