FTC Stops Computer Rental Franchise From Spying on Customers

Aaron's customers had no idea they were being watched

Just in time for Halloween, the Federal Trade Commission settled one of its creepiest cases yet against Aaron's, an Atlanta-based rent-to-own retailer that helped its franchisees install software on its rental computers that secretly spied on its users.

The software used by the Aaron's franchisees, a program called PC Rental Agent, tracked users' physical location, their login credentials for social media and financial accounts, and even captured pictures of people changing their clothes and other, ahem, private activities.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in