Following directions of HP Chairwoman Patricia Dunn, HP’s general counsel hired a team of of independent security experts – “spies” – to investigate the board members and journalists involved in an informational leak. Using the spy technique of “pretexting”, these investigators went under disguise as HP board members in order to obtain phone records and agendas of the suspected employees.
On October 4, 2006, warrant arrests and criminal charges were placed on Patricia Dunn and three outside investigators by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer.
The warrant was under the pretence of four felony violations:
1. Conspiracy to commit crime
2. Fradulent use of wire, radio, or television transmissions
4. Taking, copying, and using computer data in violation of Section 502
4. Using personal identifying information without authorization
Though Dunn and the involved parties were eventually dismissed of all charges by the judge, they cannot be pardoned from their misdemeanour in social responsibilities and violation of an ethical working environment. This scandal is a reflection of privacy intrusion and inadequacy in providing protection of employees and other affiliates. In addition, basic human rights were violated by the involvement of secret spy services in their working environment.
Related Articles:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57321834-92/plea-hearing-postponed-in-hp-spy-scandal-redux/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10310692-93.html
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