Man Sues Over Leaky Baby Monitor: Via Threat Level.

An Illinois man is suing the maker of a video baby monitor after discovering that he and his neighbor could spy on each other through the devices.

Wes Denkov filed a proposed class action lawsuit on Friday against Summer Infant and Toys ‘R’ Us over the $99 Summer Infant Day and Night Video Monitor. He did so after a neighbor, who used the same brand, informed him that video and audio from Denkov’s son’s nursery was showing up on the neighbor’s monitor whenever it was set to the same channel.

Denkov discovered that the microphone on the monitor was so sensitive it even picked up conversations occurring in rooms outside the nursery.

According to the complaint, Denkov purchased his monitor in June 2008 and discovered the problem about six months later, after a neighbor’s wife gave birth to twins. Denkov said there were no warnings on the box to indicate that others outside the home would be able to view activities or hear conversations in the room where the monitor was placed. Denkov said his wife often breastfed their infant son in the room. They believed the product was “secure” when they bought it.

When he contacted the manufacturer to complain, Denkov was allegedly told that he should have known the device was not secure and that if he wanted real security he should purchase a more expensive monitor. Denkov no longer had a receipt for the product, and the company refused to give him a refund.

Media reports have long discussed the security problems with wireless baby monitors and web cameras. But Denkov alleges in his suit that the manufacturer and the seller should have disclosed this information on the product packaging, on the product web site and in the store where the products are sold. He accused the company of deceptive conduct.

As a result of the vendor’s conduct, the suit claims, Denkov and other consumers who purchased the product, “will likely continue to incur emotional distress as a result of being watched within their homes by third parties, or simply knowing that they may have been watched by others.”

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