Geek Squad Agrees To Look For Hidden Porn If You Bring In A Spouse's Computer
A Minneapolis news site decided to follow up on whether Geek Squad really harvests your porn from your computer when you take it in for repairs. Since Geek Squad started amidst the state's frozen drifts, its denizens take a special interest in its doings.
From the City Pages Blotter:
We called a local Best Buy/Geek Squad outlet for reassurance."That's absolutely not our practice--it's part of our policy to keep files private," said the Agent. "Although we might see the names of the files pop up, if you've saved pictures as your screensaver."
So we asked, What if we brought in, say, a spouse's computer? Would you search that for hidden porn at our behest?
The Agent paused. "We can do that."
So, we have strict rules against invading people's privacy. Unless you ask us to invade someone else's. — BEN POPKEN
City Pages: The Blotter (Thanks to Oren!)
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Comments:
What extra service does the special agent in that particular photo have to offer? Is he working bachelorette parties on the side?
I am not a fan of Geek Squad, but come on, Ben!
If you walk into ANY computer repair place and ask them to perform a service on a PC, they don't ask for proof of ownership. Ya got the 'puter, ya pays for the service, end of story. Unless they have some reason to suspect theft, there is no reason for them not to do what you ask. Your relationship with your spouse is not their concern.
Imagine the rant you would have written if they required proof of ownership each time you wanted something serviced!
Stuff like this makes your campaign for better business practices look like a vendetta and weakens your overall position.
yeah, Henri is right i mean they want to keep private files private but if you tell them to look for certain files they are not very private now are they?
Maybe fleshbot could work a deal with geeksquad for fresh amateur content...
But Ben's quote at the end is funny! "We have ethical standards that we won't break unless you pay us money. Then we don't ask." Hahaha...
I would think a spouse's computer is considered to be shared property. Therefore, one person authorizes the search for porn, it's no longer a privacy issue.
Hi - This photo of me was used without my permission. Please remove it.
Oh - and to the woman who asked if I do bachelorette parties - no. But I did spank the groom at the bachelor party!
thanks -
Thomas Keckler
What happened to this website? It seems like every single story is about Comcast, Verizon, or Geek Squad. Can't you come up with any better material?
You would think that you are being sponsored by Time Warner, CompUSA, and Cingular. Maybe you should do a story about yourselves.
Unless there is a legal document stating otherwise, a woman's husband's computer is also considered her computer. She has a right to know that this joint property is not being used to store something illegal. For example, if a woman suspected her husband of storing child pornography on their comptuer, she has a right (some might even say a responsibility) to ensure that the porn is discovered and removed.
Yeah....right...
They'll never find my porn.