News
New Computer Full Of Porn, Parents Say
Published: Dec 29, 2006 - 07:50 AM
CHICAGO -- Members of a Chicago family are trying to get a warning out after they said a computer they bought as a child's gift turned out to be laden with pornography. Rick and Joy Donaldson had something special planned this Christmas for their 13-year-old son, Simeon: a new computer. "On Christmas Day we set it up, hit Internet Explorer and the first thing to pop up was a porn site," Rick Donaldson said. "That was a shocker."
Joy Donaldson said what appeared was child pornography. The Donaldsons said they had to yell for their son to stay out of the room.
Rick Donaldson said he purchased the computer from a Comp USA store in Skokie, Ill. It was a floor model Donaldson bought at a discount, but the father never imagined that such content would be on the computer. He said the URL that appeared wasn't just pornographic, but racist, too.
"It was very frustrating," Joy Donaldson said.
As the Donaldsons tried to close the window, another popped open, inviting them to e-mail the site to a friend.
The Donaldsons packed up the computer and returned it. The store cleaned it up and offered a $100 voucher.
Comp USA said it is common practice for the store to erase hard drives. A store representative said this was "very rare and we're very apologetic."
Donaldson said he wanted to warn other families to be on the lookout.
"Our message to parents is that something like this can happen and make sure you're the fist one to look at it," he said.
Chicago TV station WMAQ reached out to other retailers to see what their policies were. Most stores contacted had similar policies, and said they would review them.
Rick Donaldson said he purchased the computer from a Comp USA store in Skokie, Ill. It was a floor model Donaldson bought at a discount, but the father never imagined that such content would be on the computer. He said the URL that appeared wasn't just pornographic, but racist, too.
"It was very frustrating," Joy Donaldson said.
As the Donaldsons tried to close the window, another popped open, inviting them to e-mail the site to a friend.
The Donaldsons packed up the computer and returned it. The store cleaned it up and offered a $100 voucher.
Comp USA said it is common practice for the store to erase hard drives. A store representative said this was "very rare and we're very apologetic."
Donaldson said he wanted to warn other families to be on the lookout.
"Our message to parents is that something like this can happen and make sure you're the fist one to look at it," he said.
Chicago TV station WMAQ reached out to other retailers to see what their policies were. Most stores contacted had similar policies, and said they would review them.
