BAE and Google
BAE and Google
Chapter 5: Lessons Learned from Companies Caught in the Act
Chapter 3: Tyco and Hewlett-Packard
Chapter 4: Johnson & Johnson and Mattel
Chapter 5: BAE and Google
BAE
Fine/Settlement: $450 million
BAE faced fines in both theUSand theUKfor different crimes. Both settlements were finalized on the same day.
In theUS, BAE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to make false statements to theUSgovernment. It was reported that BAE gained approximately $200 million from business received from the false statements.
In theUK, BAE pleaded guilty to one charge of breach of duty in relation to records of payments made inTanzania. It was alleged that BAE paid a Saudi official to influence purchase/contract decisions.
Lesson Learned
- Tighten anti-corruption/anti-bribery procedures
- With both the US and the UK cracking down on bribery and corruption and increasingly hefty penalties, it’s more important than ever for companies to conduct due diligence and research common business practices in other countries before embarking on business relationships there.
The Google Street View cars around the world were collecting (inadvertently) private information from Wi-Fi networks that had been left unprotected.
Issue: Loss of reputation over privacy violations on two fronts
The Google Street View cars around the world were collecting (inadvertently) private information from Wi-Fi networks that had been left unprotected. It was reported that the information had been gathered over the past few years.
Google Buzz automatically opted users into the feature that showed others their contact lists.
Lesson Learned
- Privacy controls
- Private information should be collected only when necessary and permitted. Before launching a service, test it to make sure that other information isn’t exposed in the process. Users should have to opt-in to features before any of their information (contact lists included) is displayed.
Chapter 6: International Monetary Fund and Verizon
Chapter 7: Happy Days Children’s Wear
