Summary:
Corporate spying on the Internet is reality. Unfortunately there
can be severe consequences in terms of dollars and reputation.
There are legitimate alternatives to keeping an eye on what your competition is doing. For example, they may have just announced a major price reduction on similar products or a take-over bid is announced. There are search products that can discover and tracker generally available information as it changes in the news, at trade shows, new announcements on products and personnel, etc. And, you can surf anonymously, to prevent being discovered from being too nosey- your IP address shows up to many times on their servers.
Advice:
It is safe to say that it is reasonable to want to know what
your competition is up to. How far you are prepared to go, is another
question? Accessing files on someone's computer without their permission
is crossing the line. In order to gain trust for your site, you need
processes and procedures that are not expensive, just planned and consistent.
There are software applications to safety data mine information you are
interested in- without crossing the line. The line is basically drawn
when the information is voluntarily provided. The case below illustrates
how things can get carried away- very quickly. It is imperative that
you know what your people are doing in the name of your organization.
As an individual, you need to decide what information you are willing
to part with in order receive the services you want. If you feel it is
too intrusive- just say "No!" by not agreeing to the user agreement.
The cost of the settlement can big much larger in terms of impact to your image and reputation. In this nasty case, Children's charities received $10 million in the award- a beneficial outcome for a change.
Consequence:
Air
Canada, WestJet settle spying lawsuit*
Last Updated Mon, 29 May 2006 08:45:26 EDT
CBC News
WestJet apologized to Air Canada on Monday and will pay $15.5 million
to settle a lawsuit over a case of corporate espionage.
"In a joint press release, WestJet apologized to its competitor and Air Canada top executive Robert Milton. Calgary-based WestJet will also pay $5 million to Air Canada for its investigation and litigation costs, and make a $10-million donation to children's charities in the names of both airlines.
The lawsuit centred around allegations that WestJet management used the password of a former Air Canada employee to access a web site maintained by Air Canada to download "detailed and commercially sensitive" information.
"This practice was undertaken with the knowledge and direction of the highest management levels of WestJet and was not halted until discovered by Air Canada," the two companies said in a statement.
"This conduct was both unethical and unacceptable and WestJet accepts full responsibility for such misconduct."
Air Canada has accepted WestJet's apology and both companies have dropped their litigation against each other.
Air Canada filed suit against WestJet in 2004 seeking $220 million. WestJet counter sued later that year, alleging Air Canada used private investigators to search through recycling material at the home of a WestJet executive home in Oak Bay, B.C."
Retrieved
from Canadian Broadcast Corporation. May 29, 2006.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2006/05/29/westjet-aircansettle.html
