Porn played on Best Buy TVs, customers shocked

By: Chenda Ngak
Topics: Tech Talk

(Credit: Best Buy)

(CBS) - Customers at a Greenville, S.C. Best Buy were caught by surprise when pornography was displayed on large-screen TVs.

According to CBS affiliate WSPA, customer Gloria Berg was in the store with her son and his children when the store's 55-inch screen TVs displayed the offending photograph of a man and woman. The image was up for several minutes, allowing time for other families to see the pornographic image.

"It was extremely, extremely pornographic image," Berg told WSPA. "I think even the word 'pornographic' doesn't cover it. I have never watched pornography, so I don't know what else you can see there, but to me, I really felt extremely violated."

Berg said a Best Buy manager told her that someone "used the store's Wi-Fi to upload the image to the TVs" and that it had happened the previous night and nothing could be done about it. WSPA didn't get a confirmation from the Greenville Best Buy's management, but did get a statement from the corporate office.

"Two individuals accessed our store's wireless signal to broadcast inappropriate content on a smart television display. In both cases, we worked immediately to disable the inappropriate content. We greatly apologize for this unfortunate incident and we are working to ensure that it does not happen again."

Best Buy didn't release information on whether or not the individuals were identified or if the company will file charges.

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by WakeUp911 March 1, 2012 1:54 AM EST: Why would I be shocked to read a story like this. Oh yes, a hack!!! I don't buy that.; Reply to this comment


by Bojax39 February 27, 2012 6:12 PM EST: "I have never watched pornography, so I don't know what else you can see there, but to me, I really felt extremely violated."

If you have kids it's a safe bet you've not only seen it, you've DONE it. Though perhaps not in public.... So don't try to fool us, lady. :-); Reply to this comment


by kroguej February 26, 2012 6:16 PM EST: I guess this means they are going to have to lock up their display systems.; Reply to this comment

by ralphing February 24, 2012 11:12 PM EST

If I wanted to display porn on a BB TV, say that cool 80 incher. I would put a few files on a cheap 2Gb thumb drive, then plug it in the USB port of the TV. I would load a a mpeg movie. Much betta' then some static images.

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by kroguej February 26, 2012 6:19 PM EST: yup, seems like this type of thing could be a major headache for stores. Also stores locking down the demo systems will likely make the shopping experience worse.


by bobnjersey February 24, 2012 10:11 PM EST: [I have never watched pornography, so I don't know what else you can see there,]
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if you turn on the lights you can see everything.; Reply to this comment


by djseavy February 24, 2012 8:08 PM EST: I'm sure there will be a lawsuit; some people can't resist taking full advantage of any situation. As far as the incident itself, I'd be willing to bet it's an inside job. Either a disgruntled current employee, or an even more disgruntled someone who just recently became an ex-employee.; Reply to this comment


by micmac666 February 24, 2012 6:43 PM EST: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.; Reply to this comment


by azure13 February 24, 2012 6:39 PM EST: lmao! that is hilarious! Gott love it.; Reply to this comment


by micmac666 February 24, 2012 6:36 PM EST: I, too, feel violated (ouch) vicariously. Quick, call Gloria Allred.; Reply to this comment

by rwsmith29456 February 24, 2012 6:29 PM EST

People make these hackers out to be folk heroes but they are simply criminals. I'd like to hear one thing that a hacker has done that is positive.

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by bobnjersey February 25, 2012 6:42 AM EST: [I'd like to hear one thing that a hacker has done that is positive.]
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they expose weaknesses in existing setups.

depending on how malicious their hack is ... you might owe them a favor for spotlighting something that's inadequate ... and give you the chance to fix it before someone else exploits it in a more damaging way.

there are many cases where 'white hat' hackers identify issues and inform the companies who own the exploitable system about the means used to breach their system.