Boardroom Spying Debacle at HP 505
theodp writes "As word spread that HP was dumping Board member George Keyworth for press leaks, Newsweek broke the bigger story: HP Chairwoman Patricia Dunn was so obsessed with finding the leaker that she authorized a team of independent electronic-security experts to spy on the phone records of calls made from HP Directors' home and private cell phones. Not only that, phone records were obtained via pretexting, the controversial practice of obtaining information under false pretenses. After Dunn laid out the surveillance scheme for the Board last May, HP Director Tom Perkins quit on the spot, characterizing Dunn's actions as illegal and unethical. HP is also coming under fire for playing dumb to the SEC about the reasons behind Perkins' resignation. Perkins, who helped launch HP's computer division in the 60's, has asked the FTC, FCC and the Justice Department to investigate."
First stock advice post! (Score:3, Funny)
'Pretext'? (Score:5, Funny)
If you have to think up a euphemism for what you're doing, it's probably wrong.
Unless it's funny, like 'bumping uglies' or 'dropping the kids off at the pool'
Let me clue you in (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Pre-Texting at a Bank (Score:1, Funny)
The word is "pretext" [reference.com] not "Pre-Text". That information should help you to get an extra half mark on your next course.
Re:Trust in the boardroom (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I don't see why anyone would mind (Score:2, Funny)
Nah, we'll hit "Random Cavity Searches" at the airport first.
(YOU might not be allowed the use of Gels once you go through the first screening point
Re:And this is why (Score:5, Funny)
having women in power won't necessarily make for a kinder, gentler world.
That's because it's a certain personality type that goes after power, and that type is gender neutral.
Also, if women ran the world, the Earth would be a bombed out nuclear ruin after the first full moon.
Oh, I'm gonna get modded down...
Millions (Score:1, Funny)
She was looking for a quick bonus. She'll get fired and receive a severance pay of 50+ millions... That's it.
Re:Not really (Score:1, Funny)
Re:First stock advice post! (Score:4, Funny)
OK, obvious question (Score:4, Funny)
Just where are HP getting their board members?
Re:And this is why (Score:5, Funny)
Re:An example (Score:5, Funny)
You sent him a pizza? I want one!
Re:An example (Score:4, Funny)
It's only fair because Clinton gets blamed for all of Bush's mistakes and he's not even in office anymore.
Re:The only bright spot of this situation... (Score:3, Funny)
When I get to be a director I'm going to learn to use the street-corner payphones!
Re:Used to work for Pattie Dunn - what a change (Score:5, Funny)
Re:An example (Score:5, Funny)
Wow. I know that eventally, all Slashdot threads wind up in a Bush-bash. But this is the first case I've seen that goes straight there! (That is, without Bush or the government being the subject of the story.)
Re:An example (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Who wants to be a HP customer now? (Score:3, Funny)
If Patricia Dunn spies on her employees like this, how can I trust her enough to be a customer of HP?
To be honest if HP produced equipment that was halfway decent and sold at a reasonable price, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. They don't, on both counts, so the point is moot. Regardless, I'd tap that sociopathic ass [forbes.com].
Naughty Patricia.
Naughty.