Internet

摘要

The FTC approved nine final orders settling allegations that seven rent-to-own companies and ansoftware design firm and its two principals spied on consumers using computers the consumers had rentednfrom them (CD Sept 26 p16) . Using software, the companies recorded screenshots of confidential andnpersonal information, logged customers’ computer keystrokes, and took photos of people in their homesnwithout the customers’ knowledge, said the complaint. Under the settlement, respondents will be prohibitednfrom using monitoring software and banned from using “deceptive methods” to gather informationnfrom consumers, the FTC said (http://1.usa.gov/14qqOhT). The respondents will be prohibited from usingngeolocation tracking without consumer consent and notice, and from using “fake software registrationsnscreens” to collect personal information. The seven rent-to-own stores are also barred from using informationn“improperly gathered” from consumers to collect on accounts, the FTC said. Respondents includenDesignerWare and its principals Timothy Keller and Ronald Koller; Aspen Way Enterprises; WatershednDevelopment Corp., doing business as Watershed and Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership; ShowplacenRent-to-Own; J.A.G. Rents and Red Zone Investment d/b/a ColorTyme; B. Stamper Enterprises; andnC.A.L.M. Ventures d/b/a Premier Rental Purchase. The agency's vote, which took place after a publicncomment period, was 3-0-1. Commissioner Joshua Wright didn't vote. Software company DesignerWare,nand its principals, Koller and Keller, are prohibited from “providing others with the means to commit illegalnacts,” said the FTC in announcing the approved orders. Under the settlements, the commission willnhave access to records so it can monitor compliance for 20 years, it said. Kelly said his company’s restrictednDetective Mode Program could only be installed after a computer was reported stolen for trackingnpurposes, according to his public comment (http://1.usa.gov/11aDELh). The program was only installednwhen the renter claimed the computer was stolen and couldn't be returned, he said. “DesignerWare hasnnever had any reports that its license agreement with rental stores was ever violated and that the DetectivenMode Program was ever installed on any computer other than one reported stolen." He conceded thatnDesignerWare doesn’t know how all its licensees used the Detective Mode Program. Regarding impropernuse of video recording, Kelly said, “We have never been shown any evidence from the FTC that anyonenwas recorded having sex, pictures of children, etc.” He said every renter signed an agreement saying “ifnthey steal it then the [sic] might be subject to being monitored!”