Thursday, October 18, 2007

Spying - Personally Appalling vs. Business Reasonable

First, Progressive Insurance spied on its own customers during a private church confessional.

Then, the CEO admitted the actions on the company's Web page, took full responsibility, described them as "appalling" and apologized. Now, in legal documents Progressive's denying any wrongdoing, saying its actions were "reasonable."

It's all enough to make a cynic out of even the lawyer suing Progressive over the spying incident.

Lawyer Wayne Grant, who represents the couple that sued Progressive, now contends the public apology was just a ruse.

"There is no way you can say appalling can be reasonable," Grant said. "Now they are trying to act as if the CEO never made the statements." (more)