a whole new meaning given the term "monitoring", or rather for routine evaluation of websites, printed materials and Events used: As the British Guardian reports that the security company based in Kent Vericola for energy companies has apparently infiltrated protest groups of the environmental scene and undercover information eco-activists gathered.
also for the German group E. ON, which operates in the UK power stations. The company confirmed the firm (and another, Global Open) to have asked - but did you only asked to combine publicly available information means that at Spiegel online . Vericola was only charged with "information from publicly available sources, especially Web sites collect, evaluate and make available". There was no order to use this e-mail services or to participate in events, a spokesperson for Spon. Also, this represents Vericola so - it makes use only of publicly available sources, such as email distribution lists to which you can subscribe to the websites of the groups. The environmental groups say, however, to certain distribution can be entered only when you visit certain events or preparatory meetings. They therefore speak of "espionage."
For E. ON, Scottish Power and Scottish Resources Group has led by Rebecca Todd, according to company Vericola Guardian in the past three years can be put on getante email address on distribution of the protest groups, collecting information on activists in meetings the groups participated. Among others, the climate movement Climate Camp affected.
were Reveals the records by the environmental groups themselves, who had observed suspicious activity. The trigger was the investigation of undercover police operations, focusing on the V-man was also known as Mark Kennedy Mark Stone. Meanwhile, discussions about statements from police sources that acted on the protest groups much more undercover agents on behalf of private companies as an agent of the police and state security. Unlike the police, says this, get yourself under pressure, are the private ones bound by any rules and was beating well over the traces.
addition Vericola especially as the company Global Open in focus ("We Provide forward looking intelligence with integrity, reliability and quality of service "). The company in Beckenham, near London, has said more than 90 clients for whom they protest groups observed. For example, the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT), which target BAe mobilized. It also reports on the security companies Inkerman Group and C2i International dealing, for example, with opponents of airport expansion. All of these companies recruit employees from police and security services.
clear one is that the clients for good reason have not even researched in this way - and that the private investigators with real names and not disclose their clients precedent established. sneak in undercover and join in protest actions - that is, in fact, spying.
In the British NGO community is now bubbling to the rumors, and the activists are looking frantically for suspicious colleagues. All feared to have been infiltrated. This shows the downside of very radical protest in the UK scene: The occupations, demonstrations and blockades, the companies have obviously very scared. It is understandable that they arm themselves and want to be informed as early as possible actions. This is indeed "risk management" as she calls it Vericola.
These monitoring methods, however, are more than dubious and ethically questionable, if not punishable. And it is likely the public affairs practice have to nibble a little. To transparency, open dialogue with critics and social responsibility does not fit all.
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