Renault affair heralds era of corporate spying

Forget James Bond and MI-5: the war has changed and espionage has a new industrial face. 

...these days, spy action is more likely to be found in a seemingly dull car factory in the western suburbs of Paris.

It's a diplomatic crisis which looks set to cloud France's future economic ties with China and possibly an omen of similar cases to come.

Renault has fired three high-ranking executives in strategic positions who are accused of industrial espionage. The three are suspected of transmitting information about Renault's flagship electric vehicle programmes to a Chinese entity, which as yet remains unnamed. The stakes are high...

One thing is clear -- the alleged 'spies' were paid very handsomely indeed. According to French broadsheet Le Figaro, one executive was paid a lump sum of $500,000 (€375,000), another $130,000 (€97,500), while a third received a monthly payment of $5,000 (€3,750). 

The French intelligence agency DCRI (Direction Centrale du Renseignement Intérieur) are working with Renault to investigate the case. (more)

Poll results - "Wikileaks should..."

...publish without restrictions" is the winner.

Wall Thermostat GSM Cellular Bugging Device

The seller says...

"This revolutionary surveillance product has a wireless (gsm bug) audio monitoring device hidden inside a Thermostat. The central feature of this GSM--based solution is that it's a sophisticated, totally concealed bugging device.

Now Includes Sound or Voice-Activation!

When used in the spy mode, the Thermostat is called (from anywhere) and will answer immediately without any ringing so it will not alert anyone. The caller can then hear all conversations around the Thermostat and on ending the call, the Thermostat resumes standby. Just plug and play. This model is conveniently portable." (more)

Why do I mention it?

So you will know what you're up against.

TSCM Sweep Featured on the Discovery Channel

The Daily Planet, a popular Canadian show on the Discovery Channel, interviewed the Murray Associates technicians while they conducted an electronic eavesdropping detection audit. The video clip shows them conducting spectrum analysis, non-linear junction detection, infrared detection, a wi-fi security and compliance audit and more. If you ever wanted to look over the shoulder of a bug sweep team in action here is your chance. (video) Note: A short Discovery Channel promo comes first, followed by a promo for the show, followed by the sweep.

Spectrum analyzer catches exam cheats in Taiwan

Police in Taiwan used a set of spectrum analyzers to catch at least three people suspected of cheating on an exam by monitoring them for mobile phone signals, a first case of its type, the equipment maker said on Wednesday.

Officers used three FSH4 analyzers specially configured by the German manufacturer Rohde & Schwarz to monitor an exam in south Taiwan for prospective government workers, said senior company engineer Lai Cheng-heng.

The handheld devices are normally used to help telecom companies check the strength of phone signals, but Taiwan's National Communications Commission had asked the designer for a special order aimed at catching exam cheats. (more)

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean...

Brooklyn College in the Land of the Free had a novel way of dealing with a student who claimed that there was a spy camera in her room.

When she went to the Brooklyn College Campus Security and Safety Office to complain that her off campus landlord was using a spy cam on her, they offered her an involuntary two-week stay at a psychiatric hospital to treat her "paranoia".

The only thing was that the landlord had installed a spy camera in Chinemerem Eze's bedroom. It is not clear why, or what he was doing with the film. However, Eze found the camera after she had been "cured" by the hospital.

By the time she got out of the loony bin she missed her final exams and was not able to complete them.

As a result she wound up losing a scholarship she'd received from the school. (more)

SpyCam Story Update

Michael Lyon, the former CEO of the Sacramento-area's largest independent real estate company, entered a plea of not guilty to four counts of electronic eavesdropping in Sacramento County Superior Court Wednesday.

Lyon, 55, has been accused of secretly video-taping female guests at his home. Criminal complaint

Lyon has been free on $60,000 bail since his November arrest. (more)

"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."

French car maker PSA Peugeot-Citroen Thursday said it is well armed to avoid an industrial spying affair like that involving rival Renault SA, adding that affair won't affect its relationship with China. (more)

The head of EADS, Europe's leading aerospace company, never said that industrial spying was a "reality in China," a company spokesman said Thursday.

"We strongly deny the Financial Times' allegation that EADS CEO Louis Gallois declared spying to be a 'reality in China'. This is complete nonsense as he never said that," Pierre Bayle, head of corporate communications for EADS, told Xinhua.

"Mr. Gallois only pointed to the fact that industrial espionage generally is a matter of concern. He did not single out any specific countries. So, to suggest otherwise is totally wrong," Bayle said. (more)

Saudis Declare Vulture Innocent of Espionage

We can all rest easy now...
Prince Bandar bin Saud Al Saud has cleared a vulture of charges that it was spying on behalf of the Israeli government. Last week, Saudi officials had "detained" the vulture, fearing that its GPS tracker, which was labeled "Tel Aviv University," suggested the bird was an Israeli spy. After a long week of international mockery, an apparently embarrassed Prince Bandar bin Saud Al Saud stepped in to order the vulture's release and chide Saudi officials and journalists who had accused it of international espionage. ABC News' Alexander Marquardt reports Saud's statement. (more)

Smiley the SpyCam

HD resolution video spycam. Records for two hours - video and audio! Look for people wearing it at your next trade show... possibly cammo'ed in with a panaply of buttons, name badges and other dorkful signage.

Close-up it reeks of 'what's wrong with this picture', but it could be sooo noticeable that no one will give it a close look. (Hey, how long can you stand to look at a smiley face. I flinch and wretch in under 10 milliseconds.)

Our secret agent in the photo knows that a backup cam is SOP in case someone wretches on her coat and she has to remove it. Underneath is the same thing, just a little more subtle...

Where does she shop?

Our spies tell us right here.

Why do I mention it?

So you will know what you're up against.

Renault's next car might be called the "Denial"

China denied any link to the industrial espionage scandal at French carmaker Renault, dismissing reports that French intelligence services were investigating the possibility as "baseless". (more)

One of the three executives suspended by French car giant Renault on suspicion of spying has denied any wrongdoing. (more)

And, I know I had nothing to do with it. 

Heck, maybe it never happened. 

Yeah, that's the ticket. 

It never happened.

Business Espionage - "I worry about it every day... I'm sure it is happening." - GM CEO

The chief executive of one of the world's biggest car makers has acknowledged that industrial espionage is a major threat to the company that worries him "every day".

General Motors' chief executive, Dan Akerson – speaking as revelations of leaked corporate secrets rocked rival Renault – said he is sure there are "attacks on GM's intellectual property". "I worry about it every day," Mr Akerson said, expressing sympathy with Renault's plight. "I don't know of any individual cases but I'm sure it's happening." (more)

You can also bet he is doing something about it. ~Kevin

FutureWatch - New French Laws to Crackdown on Espionage... other countries will follow the lead.

via the Wall Street Journal...

The media buzz surrounding the apparent attempt by three Renault SA executives to pass on confidential data on the car maker's electric vehicle program is spurring the French government to tighten legislation that could result in leaks of sensitive corporate information being treated as a crime akin to selling defense secrets. (more)

The big switch to business espionage was flipped at the end of the Cold War. Economic power trumped military power. Some governments were a little slow to realize this. Businesses were even slower. This may mark an awareness turning point. 

Does your company have a counterespionage consultant on board?

Time/CNN: How Common is Corporate Espionage?

At first glance, news that Renault's cutting-edge electric-car program appears to have fallen victim to industrial espionage is especially remarkable due to the suspects: three top company executives, including a member of the firm's management committee. But the alarm that the revelation has provoked in France is also a measure of how big a threat corporate spying has become to French industry — and an indication of just how common that covert activity has become elsewhere, too.

"It's a broad threat to French industry, [and though] the expression 'economic war' is often outrageous, it is appropriate this time," French Industry Minister Eric Besson told RTL radio on Jan. 6, referring to the Renault saga. "It highlights the risks that our companies face from industrial spying." (more)

He speaks for all countries. ~Kevin

Ex Asst. County Attorney Charged with Eavesdropping

FL - Former Assistant County Attorney Paras Desai was arrested by St. Johns County Sheriff's Office detectives Monday afternoon and charged with eavesdropping and eight counts of illegal interception of communication, all third-degree felonies...

The narrative in the warrant said, "The defendant intentionally intercepted oral communications without the consent of the victim. (He) secretly recorded a phone conversation with (county Environmental Division Director) Jan Brewer. The victim had no knowledge of the recording and did not give her consent." (more)