Techie takes control of UK firm’s site over dues, writes ‘If you need access, pay me’ on site
In a shocking turn of events, a developer working for Joseph Smith Furniture Store in the UK took control of the company’s website over alleged unpaid dues. The incident came to light when SEO expert Joe Youngblood tweeted about the situation, revealing that the developer had left a message on the site, stating “Should have paid your website developer. Services were delivered. Payment from Joseph Smith Furniture remains outstanding. If you need access, pay me.” The company’s website was taken over by the developer, leaving the owners and users in a state of shock and uncertainty.
According to reports, the developer had been working with Joseph Smith Furniture Store for some time, providing website development and maintenance services. However, the company allegedly failed to pay the developer for their work, leading to the drastic action. The developer, who has not been named, took control of the website and replaced the original content with the message, effectively holding the site hostage until the dues were paid.
The incident highlights the importance of paying freelancers and developers on time, as well as the potential consequences of non-payment. The message on the site served as a warning to other companies, emphasizing the need to prioritize payments to service providers. The situation also raises questions about the security and ownership of company websites, and the potential risks associated with outsourcing website development and maintenance.
Users who visited the site were greeted with the message, which was seen as a bold move by the developer. Many took to social media to express their surprise and amusement at the situation, with some even praising the developer for taking a stand. However, others were more critical, arguing that the developer’s actions were unprofessional and could harm the company’s reputation.
Unfortunately, the incident had severe consequences for Joseph Smith Furniture Store. According to users, the company went out of business, likely due to the loss of access to their website and the negative publicity surrounding the incident. The company’s website was a critical component of their business, and the loss of control over it likely had a significant impact on their operations and revenue.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale for companies that fail to prioritize payments to their service providers. It highlights the importance of maintaining good relationships with freelancers and developers, and the potential consequences of non-payment. Companies must ensure that they pay their service providers on time, and prioritize their obligations to avoid situations like this.
In addition, the incident raises questions about the security and ownership of company websites. Companies must ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access to their websites, and that they have clear agreements with their service providers regarding ownership and control.
The incident also highlights the importance of having a contingency plan in place in case of a dispute with a service provider. Companies must have a plan in place to ensure that they can maintain access to their website and other critical systems, even if a service provider is no longer available or is holding the site hostage.
In conclusion, the incident involving Joseph Smith Furniture Store and the developer is a reminder of the importance of prioritizing payments to service providers, and the potential consequences of non-payment. It highlights the need for companies to maintain good relationships with their freelancers and developers, and to have adequate security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access to their websites. The incident also serves as a warning to companies to have a contingency plan in place in case of a dispute with a service provider.
Source: https://x.com/YoungbloodJoe/status/2008257478975521242
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