Olympian's photos of sex with wife stolen by staff at computer shop

When I read about a Sydney computer shop allegedly taking copies of personal images from a customer’s computer that had been given them for repair, there is little wonder that people start to not trust repair businesses.

INTIMATE photographs of an Australian Olympian having sex with his wife were stolen by staff at a Sydney computer shop after the prominent star brought his machine in for repair.... Read More

The problem is if your computer dies you need to be able to trust the business with your important data and the Sydney business shows you just can’t trust some businesses. People shouldn’t have to be concerned that businesses can take copies of their data without permission in this way.

If as is reported this isn’t against the law it should be. Whilst the article mentions the law covers situations such as when a password restricts access, then does that really make a difference if you have to give the computer business your password?

If you are concerned about the potential inappropriate copying of your data you have a few options. The first is if you can find someone who you can trust then deal with them. Obviously if you don’t know someone that doesn’t help.

A couple of options are: to remove the hard disk before putting the computer in for repair and pay for a new hard disk. Another is to be present whilst the computer is being repaired.

Because I perform onsite support of computers the computer doesn’t have to leave the person’s home or business premises. For some tasks, when it is may be easier and more cost effective to take the computer back to base, the choice is always the client’s.

 

Trust is earned and once damaged is rarely repaired. Companies like the business in Sydney should be named if indeed they are doing what they’ve alleged to have done. Even if it isn’t illegal, it isn’t right.

I’d never heard of a business doing this before but once you know a business does this, you can be sure there are others doing the same. Now you know you can factor this knowledge into your decisions and take appropriate action.


- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au