gsmart2 March 10, 2025, 9:23 p.m.

Computer repair shop copied my personal photos - found them online. Legal recourse options?

Absolute nightmare situation. Dropped off my laptop at local repair shop (not naming names yet) to fix trackpad issues 2 months ago. Yesterday my cousin sends me link asking "is this you???" - it's PRIVATE PHOTOS from my laptop on some sketchy forum.

These were in a password-protected folder but apparently these "technicians" went through everything. Nothing explicit but definitely personal - family vacation pics, photos of my home interior, some medical documents I scanned. They shared enough that strangers could probably figure out where I live.

Already filed police report but officer seemed completely clueless about digital privacy laws. Shop owner denying everything despite photos literally having my metadata still attached. What legal options do I actually have? Anyone dealt with similar violation? I'm furious, violated, and scared about what else they might have copied

2stars2011 March 11, 2025, 12:25 a.m.

Contact data forensics specialist immediately. They can extract access logs windows keeps hidden from standard users. This proves exactly which account opened your files and when. Costs money but worth it when shop denies everything

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{}** March 11, 2025, 9 p.m.

Combination worked for me when repair shop stole bank statements: demand letter, small claims filing, AND local news tip. Shop scrambled to settle once reporter called asking questions. They fear publicity more than lawsuits

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164 March 12, 2025, 4:34 p.m.

not trying to victim blame but how certain are you it was the repair shop? family members access your laptop? previous spyware infection? might want to eliminate other possibilities before potentially destroying someone's business

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philips March 13, 2025, 7:27 p.m.

Bench technician with 12 years experience. Trackpad repair never requires opening personal folders. Never. Diagnostic tests run from separate boot environment. Whoever accessed password-protected folders did so deliberately and maliciously

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MC_Ghost March 14, 2025, 10:11 p.m.

Been there. Shop leaked my tax documents two years back. Police completely useless but small claims judge awarded maximum jurisdictional limit plus costs. Document everything meticulously

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Condor March 15, 2025, 1:04 a.m.

Small claims was intimidating but surprisingly straightforward. Brought printed evidence in triplicate, shop owner came unprepared thinking i'd just give up. Judge saw through everything immediately

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mk018 March 15, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

If those photos show your home layout consider changing locks immediately. These people clearly have zero ethics and know where you live. Safety first, legal battle second

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boxer March 17, 2025, 9:55 p.m.

anyone notice how disproportionately women get targeted by this? Worked at major electronics retailer service department and male techs constantly "checking" female customers' devices for photos. Industry has massive unreported harassment problem

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123aks March 18, 2025, 12:32 a.m.

Witnessed exact same behavior at three different shops. Never reported because management part of problem. Deeply embedded toxic culture nobody addresses

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