4 ms·

I worked at a computer rental shop in the mid-90s (renting computers was a thing back then). Customers used to leave files on the returned computers all the tim

I worked at a computer rental shop in the mid-90s (renting computers was a thing back then). Customers used to leave files on the returned computers all the time. My colleagues and I used to look at them sometimes. It was almost always boring stuff. Until once a customer returned a computer with CSAM jpeg images. Hundreds of them. Very bad stuff. We called the local police. They were basically useless. They just didn't know what we were talking about. Remember, this was almost 30 years ago, before the web. We asked if they had any contacts at the FBI, and if so, to forward the info to them. The next day a couple of FBI suits showed up and took the computer. They knew exactly what we were talking about. The suits were very technical. I was totally impressed. The FBI suits came back about a week later and took statements from everyone. We tried to get info from them about the case, but they wouldn't give us anything. However, one suit said the computer wouldn't help much for a conviction or even making an arrest because too many hands had touched it. Depressing. However, he did say that the customer is on their radar, and an active investigation had begun. He hinted that it was only a matter of time before the dude was caught in the investigation. I felt a tiny bit better after that. But still, the only experience made me feel like shit. It still does.

veqq 4y ago
A bit tangential, but what can you share about the computer rental industry? When did it die out? What sort of customers were there? How long until computers would leave the rental circuit? Would they just be sold?
- buran77 4y ago
  Renting fits occasional usage better, housing being a notable exception. But people need a computer (PC, laptop, tablet, or phone) all the time these days and almost always have a lot tied into a particular device. It's far more convenient to buy one outright especially since they're affordable. Now the rental moved towards more expensive and less convenient stuff to have at home full time like servers and hosting.
sneak 4y ago
The same reason that they could not use this for evidence (too many hands, too much opportunity for tampering) seems like the reason this is exploitable for using the FBI as a weapon for targeted harassment against an arbitrarily chosen victim. Getting someone put on the FBI's radar is a great way to ruin a life. If you can target anyone you wish this way, that is a lot of destructive power to wield, akin to swatting.
- dsfyu404ed 4y ago
  >Getting someone put on the FBI's radar is a great way to ruin a life. If you can target anyone you wish this way, that is a lot of destructive power to wield, akin to swatting. Doesn't even have to be the feds. Local .gov attention is more than sufficient to make life indefinitely reasonable. I think anonymous tipping needs to be curtailed to some degree. When simply being investigated is only slightly short of a probation sentence in practice one's right to know the evidince against them and the public's right to be privy to the proceedings should apply. Edit: In the general case, not this specific one.
  - tehwebguy 4y ago
    This wasn’t an anonymous tip.
    - dsfyu404ed 4y ago
      I meant in general, not this specific case. It's a travesty that a report from a jaded ex or obnoxious neighbor can result in one having CPS, the state tax authorities, etc, crawling all over somebody for however long an investigation takes. And from the point of the person being investigated and more importantly, the broader community it is anonymous. The person using the investigative process as harassment stands to lose nothing by doing so.
      - alsetmusic 4y ago
        > obnoxious neighbor can result in one having CPS I don't know if you were referring to this, but it certainly was front-on-mind for me. (There's a GoFundMe for their legal troubles if you want to donate. Please consider it.) https://reason.com/2022/11/16/suburban-mom-jailed-handcuffed-cps-son-walk-home/ https://reason.com/2022/11/16/suburban-mom-jailed-handcuffed...

veqq 4y ago

A bit tangential, but what can you share about the computer rental industry? When did it die out? What sort of customers were there? How long until computers would leave the rental circuit? Would they just be sold?

buran77 4y ago
Renting fits occasional usage better, housing being a notable exception. But people need a computer (PC, laptop, tablet, or phone) all the time these days and almost always have a lot tied into a particular device. It's far more convenient to buy one outright especially since they're affordable. Now the rental moved towards more expensive and less convenient stuff to have at home full time like servers and hosting.

sneak 4y ago

The same reason that they could not use this for evidence (too many hands, too much opportunity for tampering) seems like the reason this is exploitable for using the FBI as a weapon for targeted harassment against an arbitrarily chosen victim. Getting someone put on the FBI's radar is a great way to ruin a life. If you can target anyone you wish this way, that is a lot of destructive power to wield, akin to swatting.

dsfyu404ed 4y ago
>Getting someone put on the FBI's radar is a great way to ruin a life. If you can target anyone you wish this way, that is a lot of destructive power to wield, akin to swatting. Doesn't even have to be the feds. Local .gov attention is more than sufficient to make life indefinitely reasonable. I think anonymous tipping needs to be curtailed to some degree. When simply being investigated is only slightly short of a probation sentence in practice one's right to know the evidince against them and the public's right to be privy to the proceedings should apply. Edit: In the general case, not this specific one.
- tehwebguy 4y ago
  This wasn’t an anonymous tip.
  - dsfyu404ed 4y ago
    I meant in general, not this specific case. It's a travesty that a report from a jaded ex or obnoxious neighbor can result in one having CPS, the state tax authorities, etc, crawling all over somebody for however long an investigation takes. And from the point of the person being investigated and more importantly, the broader community it is anonymous. The person using the investigative process as harassment stands to lose nothing by doing so.
    - alsetmusic 4y ago
      > obnoxious neighbor can result in one having CPS I don't know if you were referring to this, but it certainly was front-on-mind for me. (There's a GoFundMe for their legal troubles if you want to donate. Please consider it.) https://reason.com/2022/11/16/suburban-mom-jailed-handcuffed-cps-son-walk-home/ https://reason.com/2022/11/16/suburban-mom-jailed-handcuffed...