Technician admits to accessing security cameras to watch customers having sex

[Joe White]

WTF?! A former technician admitted on Thursday that he routinely accessed customers' home security accounts in order to spy on nude women, and to watch couples as they had sex. Following his guilty plea, the technician faces a maximum of five years in prison.

The technician—35-year-old Telesforo Aviles—worked for home and small office security company ADT in the Dallas, TX area. While pleading guilty to one count of computer fraud and one count of invasive visual recording, Aviles admitted on Thursday to accessing the cameras of over 200 customers on almost 10,000 different occasions. Ars Technica explains, "He said he took note of homes with women he found attractive and then viewed their cameras for sexual gratification. He said he watched nude women and couples as they had sex."

Aviles did this by adding his email address to the list of authorized addresses in customers' ADT Pulse accounts. This allowed Aviles to remotely access video feeds, but also to remotely disable alarms in customers' homes or to interact with other appliances, like lights.

Aviles used this method to voyeuristically spy on individuals and couples over a five-year period. However, in April 2020, a customer noticed an unauthorized email in their Pulse account; ADT subsequently learned of Aviles' actions, dismissed him from the company, and informed prosecutors.

ADT has contacted customers individually to explain the situation and address concerns. The company has also shared a statement which is being updated with key developments. There, ADT explains that most customers' concerns and disputes have been resolved—though for some, the company's actions aren't enough.

Unsurprisingly, two proposed class-action lawsuits have surfaced: one on behalf of customers, and another on behalf of minors living in affected homes. The suits claim that ADT didn't do enough to ensure that their home security software was safe and secure. Marketed as a way for parents to monitor kids and pets using your smartphone, ADT did not implement safeguards that could further protect customers such as 2FA or automated alerts when new users were allowed into their accounts.

Much like Aviles' sentence, the outcome of the lawsuits have yet to be determined. For now, this strange and sad event is another stark reminder of some of the dangers of network-connected devices.

While many call on companies like ADT to take the legwork out of installing home security systems, it's essential to take basic steps towards safeguarding your own privacy—especially if the home security camera is pointing at your bed.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/88386-technician-admits-accessing-security-cameras-watch-customers-having.html

 

[Uncle Al]

Couldn't have been at my house .... the poor fool would be scared for life!

 

[mrvco]

I was wondering why the ADT installer said it was a great idea to install a camera in each bedroom... LOL. With all the 'smart devices' being bought with integrated microphones and/or cameras, I expect that it's only a matter of time before more and more stories like this surface.

 

[Makste]

Sigh: Exotic problems

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I will NEVER allow there to be web cams, RING doorbells, Alexa, Siri speakers, etc,etc in my house.

My computer's webcam and mic only comes on when I plug them in and my phone isn't pointed at my bed or bathroom (obviously)

 

[Bullwinkle M]

I will NEVER allow there to be web cams, RING doorbells, Alexa, Siri speakers, etc,etc in my house.

My computer's webcam and mic only comes on when I plug them in and my phone isn't pointed at my bed or bathroom (obviously)

So weird

We think so much alike, yet you attack me for that which you do not yet understand

 

[amghwk]

On the other hand, where are the couples having sex - Kitchen? Porch? Garage? Living room? - that is so easy for the technician to spy so easily?

I thought people don't install cameras in their bedrooms and bathrooms? That too, connected cameras? Unless of course, if they are too paranoid.

And another thing. These are the same customers who hired the technician to install the cameras. Don't they realize where the camera is before f-king?

A technician will always (usually) have the upperhand on the security rather than the customers.

Those in the know-how, don't hire technicians.

 

[texasrattler]

Who the hell lets anyone install things inside your own personal bedroom? Wth was owners thinking. Can understand in a babies room but not a teenagers or parents room. And no bathrooms, ever.

I cant believe ADT would even allow cameras in such private areas. That should be a no no and a red flag. Hopefully they and people learn never ever put cameras in personal areas, the reason, because of articles like this.

 

[Burty117]

And this is why I invested in a Microserver and Ubiquiti gear instead, I host everything on my local network. No need to get anyone involved and it still continues to work even if the internet went down. Thanks to a UPS and PoE switch, it even keeps on going when the power goes out. With no monthly fee's or subscriptions, it's cheaper in the long run while being safer.

 

[Austinturner]

On the other hand, where are the couples having sex - Kitchen? Porch? Garage? Living room?

Um, why not?

 

[candle_86]

Who the hell lets anyone install things inside your own personal bedroom? Wth was owners thinking. Can understand in a babies room but not a teenagers or parents room. And no bathrooms, ever.

I cant believe ADT would even allow cameras in such private areas. That should be a no no and a red flag. Hopefully they and people learn never ever put cameras in personal areas, the reason, because of articles like this.

I have two camera in each bedroom in the house, but they are mounted where they can only see the window and what's outside it, I did that because twice we've had someone attempt to force a window while home, but in no way can it see anything else going on in said room.

 

[PurpleYoda]

Who points a camera at his bed??? And then complain when the video “gets out” or someone is spying on them.. ppl have s*it for brains with no imagination whatsoever, they got what they deserve if you ask me! Let it be a lesson to other half brains, although come to think of it, they would have to learn to read first.. so what’s the point.. it’s down to companies like this one to get some lesson out of that.. I mean there is a reason it says “open by hand” on Coca Cola bottles and “hot contents” on a coffee-to-go cups... world is full of morons, this is just another one in a huge line of evidence to that fact..

 

[duckofdeath]

Who points a camera at his bed??? And then complain when the video “gets out” or someone is spying on them.. ppl have s*it for brains with no imagination whatsoever, they got what they deserve if you ask me! Let it be a lesson to other half brains, although come to think of it, they would have to learn to read first.. so what’s the point.. it’s down to companies like this one to get some lesson out of that.. I mean there is a reason it says “open by hand” on Coca Cola bottles and “hot contents” on a coffee-to-go cups... world is full of morons, this is just another one in a huge line of evidence to that fact..

Does the camera say "the seller will spy on you"? If so, I'd agree. Otherwise, I think this company should be scrutinized for products that doesn't provide anything of what it's sold as. Security.

 

[kiwigraeme]

Who points a camera at his bed??? And then complain when the video “gets out” or someone is spying on them.. ppl have s*it for brains with no imagination whatsoever, they got what they deserve if you ask me! Let it be a lesson to other half brains, although come to think of it, they would have to learn to read first.. so what’s the point.. it’s down to companies like this one to get some lesson out of that.. I mean there is a reason it says “open by hand” on Coca Cola bottles and “hot contents” on a coffee-to-go cups... world is full of morons, this is just another one in a huge line of evidence to that fact..

I took my time ,I wonder and slept on it - and finally figured out - yes there are reasons why people might point the camera at their bed . I'm still trying to figure out why people have mirrors on their bedroom ceilings - if anyone knows pls help.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Remember the jingle...
"ADT, we're home even when you're not!"

Maybe it should be:
"ADT, we've never really left!"

My uncle made a career out of working for Chubb Home Security so I think that I'll ask him if that kind of thing would be possible industry-wide.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Sigh: Exotic problems

I know, eh?

On the other hand, where are the couples having sex - Kitchen? Porch? Garage? Living room? - that is so easy for the technician to spy so easily?

And why the hell would it matter where the people were having sex? Does having sex outside of the bedroom mean that you're implicitly inviting voyeurs to secretly spy on you? Maybe you only have sex in your bedroom but not everyone is that vanilla. I'm sure as hell not.

I thought people don't install cameras in their bedrooms and bathrooms? That too, connected cameras? Unless of course, if they are too paranoid.

The people don't install the cameras, the technicians do. The technicians also do the setup of the entire system. I personally know more than one family that has cameras in every room (including bathrooms) so that if there is a domestic disturbance or a home invasion, the perpetrators have nowhere to hide. The idea is that the cameras are recording at all times but only you have access to said recordings.

And another thing. These are the same customers who hired the technician to install the cameras. Don't they realize where the camera is before f-king?

Even if they do, the idea that they'd be spied upon was probably furthest from their minds. The camera is probably in the corner of the bedroom to cover the entire room. Maybe the camera software can blow up different parts of the room's image, like two people in bed.

A technician will always (usually) have the upperhand on the security rather than the customers.

Those in the know-how, don't hire technicians.

I'd say that 99% of people aren't in the know and that's no excuse for the technician to take advantage of them in this way. Why does it sound like you're trying to blame the people instead of the guy who actually did it?

Who the hell lets anyone install things inside your own personal bedroom? Wth was owners thinking. Can understand in a babies room but not a teenagers or parents room. And no bathrooms, ever.

I cant believe ADT would even allow cameras in such private areas. That should be a no no and a red flag. Hopefully they and people learn never ever put cameras in personal areas, the reason, because of articles like this.

Do you really think that the customers are to blame? That's patently absurd! Some people want cameras in every room and with good reason. Read what I said above.

Do you also blame the victims of sexual harassment because of what they were wearing?

 

[JStacts]

Does no one remember the BTK killer anymore? These security systems are exactly the opposite and always have been.

 

[havok585]

I know, eh?

And why the hell would it matter where the people were having sex? Does having sex outside of the bedroom mean that you're implicitly inviting voyeurs to secretly spy on you? Maybe you only have sex in your bedroom but not everyone is that vanilla. I'm sure as hell not.

The people don't install the cameras, the technicians do. The technicians also do the setup of the entire system. I personally know more than one family that has cameras in every room (including bathrooms) so that if there is a domestic disturbance or a home invasion, the perpetrators have nowhere to hide. The idea is that the cameras are recording at all times but only you have access to said recordings.

Even if they do, the idea that they'd be spied upon was probably furthest from their minds. The camera is probably in the corner of the bedroom to cover the entire room. Maybe the camera software can blow up different parts of the room's image, like two people in bed.

I'd say that 99% of people aren't in the know and that's no excuse for the technician to take advantage of them in this way. Why does it sound like you're trying to blame the people instead of the guy who actually did it?

Do you really think that the customers are to blame? That's patently absurd! Some people want cameras in every room and with good reason. Read what I said above.

Do you also blame the victims of sexual harassment because of what they were wearing?

YES on all accounts !

 

[Avro Arrow]

YES on all accounts !

Sounds about right to me!