A lawsuit that was filed on Tuesday alleges that huge furniture rental company holds software in their computers that will allow them to track keystrokes, screenshots and webcam images of their clients while they use the rented furniture at home.
The lawsuit was filed for a couple from Wyoming. The couple said that they found out about the “spying software” when they saw the PC Rental Agent device in the computer they rented in 2010.
On December 22, an Aaron’s incorporated store manager from Casper came to their home and shed some light on the matter.
The said store manager tried to reclaim their computer because he thought the couple failed to pay for it. Brian Byrd, 26-year old, said that the manager showed him a photo of Byrd while using the computer, apparently taken using the computer’s webcam and with the help of the spying software.
The lawsuit argues that the software is made and distributed by Designerware LLC. The same software is installed on each one of Aaron’s rental computers.
Byrd said that he felt violated and invaded, as if a stranger was in their house. He further said that the store manager did not explain why the photos were taken.
Aaron’s lawyer, David Katz, said that he is unaware of the lawsuit and will issue a response as soon as he has reviewed a copy. Tim Kelly of Designerware LLC said that he is also unfamiliar of the lawsuit and refused to comment.