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Judge: Amazon “cannot claim shock” that bathroom spycams were used as advertised (arstechnica.com)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

84 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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."

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[–] [email protected] -4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What part of a camera made to look like a towl holder advertised as being easily hidden isn't illegal?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

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?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 11 months ago

Holy shit, a source!

Thank you! You're the only one who provided any legal insight into this legal discussion, lol.