Nexusmedia Screensaver Scam Busted
May 7th, 2008 amy
Nexusmedia, a Colorado software business, seems to be selling screensavers bundled with adware and spyware. In case that wasn’t enough, the company promotes “child-safe screensavers,” then delivers ones riddled with pictures of naked people. The Texas Attorney General isn’t happy, and neither are many Nexusmedia customers.
According to the Consumer Affairs website, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed charges against Nexusmedia on the above issues. ConsumerAffiars.com reports that according to state investigators, Nexusmedia and its owner, Daniel J. McLaughlin, sold computer screensavers via the Internet. The defendants’ Web site and online advertising claimed their products were guaranteed to be free from spyware or adware. However, the enforcement action charges McLaughlin with bundling his screensavers with independent, unrelated software called the My Search Toolbar. Customers who purchased the screensavers were not given the opportunity to opt out of the toolbar. Nexusmedia also promoted its Web site as “G-rated” and safe for children. However, some of the defendants’ screensavers, those which were titled “Hot” or “Celebrity,” contained 70 images depicting naked and semi-naked females.
Nexusmedia is charged with violating several provisions of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who seeks injunctions and civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation of the act, plus attorneys’ fees.
