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CNET Reporters Intend to Sue HP Over Surveillance

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the wish-i-could-sue-someone dept.

theodp writes "The NY Times reports that three CNET journalists whose records, as well as those of their relatives, were scrutinized by pretexting investigators working for HP intend to sue the company for invasion of privacy. HP, who paid $14.5M to settle a lawsuit filed by the CA attorney general in connection with the spying, reportedly offered each reporter $10,000, roughly enough to cover legal bills. The CNET reporters have been banned from covering HP or its see-no-evil CEO, who BTW was rewarded with $20.33M in 2006 despite skipping his reading assignments."

3 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. DONT CALL IT PRETEXTING! by Vegeta99 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Christ. Is it that hard to say "fraudulent, lying investigators" instead of buying into their bullshit and using that weasel word "pretexting"?

  2. Cripes! by rbochan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I really wish people would stop with all this "pretexting" bullshit. Call it what it is:
    Fraud.

    --
    ...Rob
    The American Dream isn't an SUV and a house in the suburbs; it's Don't Tread On Me.
    1. Re:Cripes! by honkycat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It is, but it sounds much more sanitary and pleasant, almost as though it's a legitimate business method. Fraud is plain, simple, and clear about the illegal nature of the activity it describes. Being specific with language is great, but in this case, I think it masks the meaning for people who are not familiar with the term.