US Secret Service raids home of Apple Store spy
11 Jul 2011
The US Secret Service has conducted raids on the home of an artist who collected images from webcams in a New York Apple store.
Kyle McDonald reportedly installed a software that photographed people looking at laptops then uploaded the snaps to a website. According to McDonald, he had obtained permission from a security guard to take photos inside the store.
Though Apple has made no comment, the Secret Service has confirmed that its electronic crime division was involved.
A spokesperson who spoke to the BBC said the investigation was proceeding under US Code Title 18 /1030 which related to "Fraud and related activity in connection with computers." Under the legislation offenders can be awarded 20 years in prison at the maximum.
Writing on Twitter, McDonald said: "@secretservice just stopped by to investigate [web address removed] and took my laptop. Please assume they're reading any e-mails you send me."
No other arrests in the case had been made till the week end.
