Aaron's Inc. Sued Over Computer Spyware Allegations

  • May 04, 2011

Aaron's Inc. and its franchisees can secretly monitor "rent-to-own" computer customers' electronic communications in violation of federal privacy and technology laws, a Wyoming couple alleged in a class action lawsuit filed May 3 in federal court in Pittsburgh.

Brian and Crystal Byrd, of Casper, Wyo., allege the "rent-to-own" laptop computer they paid off ahead of schedule in October 2010 was wrongly listed as in default by Aaron's. The lawsuit asserts that an Aaron's representative appeared at the Byrds' home on Dec. 22, 2010 to repossess the computer and showed the family an unauthorized web-camera image of Mr. Byrd using the computer at home. A subsequent investigation by local law enforcement confirmed the electronic surveillance activity, the lawsuit alleges.

The Byrds are represented by Jamieson & Robinson LLC, of Casper, Wyo.; HermanGerel LLP, of Atlanta; The Spence Law Firm, of Jackson, Wyo.; and Levin, Fishbein, Sedran and Berman, of Philadelphia.

The defendants include Aaron's Inc., of Atlanta; Aspen Way Enterprises Inc., d/b/a Aaron's Sales and Leasing; and DesignerWare LLC, of North East, Pa.

According to the complaint, "It has been the practice and policy of the Aaron's Defendants to conceal from their customers their ability to remotely access, intercept and monitor customers' private, personal electronic communications, information, screen shots, keystrokes or images captured on webcams and to further disclose to consumers exactly the kinds of private information and images that can be and were routinely collected, transmitted and stored."

The legal team for the Byrds will seek to have the lawsuit certified as a class action to obtain injunctive relief and damages for all customers of the Aaron's defendants who reside in the United States, who have purchased, leased, rented or rented to own, Aaron's computers and people whose electronic communications and/or images were intercepted, accessed, monitored and/or transmitted by the defendants without the customer's authorization.

The case is "Brian Byrd and Crystal Byrd, et al., v. Aaron's Inc., et al.," Civil No. 11-CV-101 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.