Aaron's Settles Spy Software Installation Charges

Aaron's Inc., the nation's second-largest chain of rent-to-own appliance and furniture stores,

agreed to pay $28.4 million to settle allegations that it violated California consumer privacy and protection laws by allowing software that secretly monitored consumers to be installed on rental computers, according to regulators.

The Atlanta-based retailer allegedly overcharged customers, left out important contract disclosures and installed software that could track the keystrokes of people who rented computers and even activate webcams or microphones to record users. (more)