- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.world
After a spy camera designed to look like a towel hook was purchased on Amazon and illegally used for months to capture photos of a minor in her private bathroom, Amazon was sued.
The plaintiff—a former Brazilian foreign exchange student then living in West Virginia—argued that Amazon had inspected the camera three times and its safety team had failed to prevent allegedly severe, foreseeable harms still affecting her today.
Amazon hoped the court would dismiss the suit, arguing that the platform wasn’t responsible for the alleged criminal conduct harming the minor. But after nearly eight months deliberating, a judge recently largely denied the tech giant’s motion to dismiss.
Amazon’s biggest problem persuading the judge was seemingly the product descriptions that the platform approved. An amended complaint included a photo from Amazon’s product listing that showed bathroom towels hanging on hooks that disguised the hidden camera. Text on that product image promoted the spycams, boasting that they “won’t attract attention” because each hook appears to be “a very ordinary hook.”
Tech legal expert Eric Goldman wrote that a victory for the plaintiff could be considered “a dangerous ruling for the spy cam industry and for Amazon,” because “the court’s analysis could indicate that all surreptitious hook cameras are categorically illegal to sell.” That could prevent completely legal uses of cameras designed to look like clothes hooks, Goldman wrote, such as hypothetical in-home surveillance uses.
In what reality is there any need for a door-hook camera except to spy on someone who has not given consent???
Jayzuz. That was some poor mind gymnastics right there.
In what reality is there any need for a door-hook camera
maybe for when the police illegally raid, eat your lemon pound cake, steal your money and fuck up your visible cameras?
just because YOU can’t think of any use other than creepy doesn’t mean the rest of us are so afflicted.
None of the police actually ate Afroman’s lemon pound cake, just one stared longingly at it for an awkwardly long amount of time, lol. Let’s not muddy the waters by accusing those police of something they didn’t do, and focus on the blatantly provable (lack of real probable cause, intentionally sabotaging his cameras) and the alleged but highly plausible (“miscounting” some of his cash into their own pockets).
The fucked up part is there’s a whole industry for this
nope. spy = no consent
He could’ve used literally any other example, but of course he chose the creepy one. Could’ve stood on the stance that businesses would need them for shoplifting ffs.
Except any place where it would make sense to place one within a business would be illegal. You are not allowed to place cameras hidden or not in places where one could have an expectation of privacy.
Not only that, anywhere that a business is allowed to use cameras, they would want to have big, obvious cameras to try to prevent shoplifting.
we didn’t expect anyone to use the CSAM machine to actually manufacture CSAM, even though it was listed as “CSAM machine” and described as “perfect for making CSAM”
we need to also prosecute Big Q-Tip
Currently, Amazon advertises several “clothes hook hidden camera” products when users search for “bathroom spy camera,” an Ars search found, but it’s unclear if the spy cam at the center of this lawsuit is still available on Amazon.
Despite the lawsuit, they are still selling this crap.
Judging from the thumbnail, if I walked into that red rum tiled bathroom I’d hold it.
“I can’t believe someone bought our ‘Watch a Fourteen Year Old Pee Cam’ to watch a fourteen year old pee!”
Do you sue gun sellers for when people use their guns for illegal activities?
What about computer retailers?
Completely missing the point. It was very clearly being advertised to be used in this way, and it was approved by amazon. It would only be comparable if gun manufacturers were advertising “a drug dealer will never notice you’re carrying it” or something similar.
It’s not illegal to put a hidden camera in your bathroom, though.
Just like it’s not illegal to take a gun to the shooting range.
It would only be comparable if gun manufacturers were advertising “a drug dealer will never notice you’re carrying it”
No, it wouldn’t. Guns are for shooting just like this camera is for recording. What you shoot and record is what makes their usage illegal.
Guns are for shooting just like this camera is for recording. What you shoot and record is what makes their usage illegal.
Missing the point. They are arguing that this was being advertised for illegal use, and thus they are responsible. The other poster was drawing a comparison by implying that gun manufacturers should be held responsible for when guns are used for illegal purposes. I’m pointing out that it would only be comparable if they were being advertised, even if just clearly implicitly, for illegal use.
How are these being advertised for illegal use? There’s nothing illegal about setting up hidden cameras on your property.
Does the product page specifically state that it’s for use on property that isn’t yours without permission?
There’s nothing illegal about setting up hidden cameras on your property.
But there is something illegal about filming people in the bathroom on your property without their consent.
But there is something illegal about filming people in the bathroom on your property without their consent.
Can you cite where you’re getting this information from?
Before I do this. . .are you saying you think it might be legal to film someone without their consent when they are using your bathroom?
For example, Michigan law (MCL 750.539(a) and MCL 750.539(d)) makes it unlawful to “install, place, or use in any private place, without the consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy in that place, any device for observing, recording, transmitting, photographing, or eavesdropping upon the sounds or events in that place.”
Most states have similar laws.
From a video camera manufacturer: https://reolink.com/blog/is-security-camera-in-bathrooms-legal/
In most jurisdictions, it is illegal to install video cameras in bathrooms without explicit consent. Bathrooms are considered private spaces where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
According to the laws passed by some of the states in the U.S. like Alabama, California and Massachusetts, it is unlawful to put video cameras in bathrooms and other private places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
These locations include but are not limited to:
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Changing rooms
- Hotel rooms
- Locker rooms
- Restrooms
- Any other places that people may get undressed
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You do realize just cause it’s called a “towel hook”doesn’t mean it only holds towels, right? Also - towels aren’t exclusively hung in bathrooms.
Yes, I understand that. What that has to do with my point is beyond me, however.
I’m pointing out there are legitimate places for a towel hook with hidden camera to be located. Something used for illegal activity is on the onus of the person performing the illegal act, not the manufacturer or distributor of the tool.
If something is only used for illegal activity, then I agree Amazon would have culpability.
No one is blaming the hammer manufacturer or Home Depot for selling a hammer to the guy who attacked Pelosi’s husband. You blame the moron for being a trash human. Same is true here - there are legitimate uses of a towel hook camera. Placing one in the bathroom is not one of them, and the person who placed it there is the only person at fault.
No one is blaming the hammer manufacturer or Home Depot for selling a hammer to the guy who attacked Pelosi’s husband.
Again, missing the point. Go back and read my first post.
If you advertise your product specifically for doing something that is inherently wrong, yes.
Inherently wrong, or illegal? I’m just going to assume you mean ‘illegal’ because what’s right and wrong is subjective.
What did they advertise that was illegal?
There’s no justification that can be made in good faith for a camera designed to look like a bathroom towl holder. There just aint
Okay. Did they advertise anything illegal though, which is what this lawsuit is about?
What part of a camera made to look like a towl holder advertised as being easily hidden isn’t illegal?
The fact that you’re allowed to have hidden cameras on your property, even in the bathroom.
Unless you can cite something that says otherwise?
Incident occurred in West Virginia
“”" WV Code §11-9-9 : Aiding, abetting, assisting or counseling in criminal violation.
Any person who shall knowingly aid or abet or assist or counsel another person in the commission of any act prohibited by this article, whether or not such act is with the knowledge or consent of the person required by law to do the act, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, or imprisoned in the county jail not more than six months, or both fined and imprisoned.
“”" The court will determine whether or not the marketing is sufficient proof that the plaintiff knowingly aided another in the commission of this crime.
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