UK businesses allegedly frequently hire hackers with criminal records, according to accusations
UK corporations allegedly 'routinely' employ private investigators whose questionable tactics include illegal computer hacking, according to a report by The Independent. The 2008 Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) report, presented as evidence at last year's Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking by the press, named insurance companies, a major telecommunications firm, and a businessman involved in corporate takeover deals as some of the organizations hiring these investigators.
The most common industry utilizing these criminal private detectives is said to be law firms, including high-profile matrimonial lawyers and litigators investigating fraud on behalf of private clients. One common tactic used by these investigators was to install taping devices onto a target's landline at the local signal box.
The SOCA report also references a document called the "Blagger's Manual," recommending that investigators should disregard any moral qualms they may have about "snooping" or "dishonesty." The manual states that through “technical deception,” the investigators are performing a task that benefits not only them or their clients, but the industry as a whole.
Labour MP Tom Watson expressed astonishment that SOCA possessed knowledge of the extent of hacking by "blue-chip" companies. Watson stated, "I believe they are sitting on physical evidence that has still not been disclosed fully to forensic investigators at the Metropolitan Police. The law should also be rigorously applied to other sectors that have gotten away with it."
While the Local Signal Box hacking method is reported to be an older tactic, it remains a concern due to the potential privacy invasions and data breaches it can cause. This issue is further compounded by the proliferation of cyber attacks and data breaches affecting various industries, including the legal sector, retail companies, and cultural institutions.
Recent high-profile cyber incidents include the UK Legal Aid Agency's significant breach affecting personal data on legal aid applicants dating back to 2010, and genetic testing company 23andMe's £2.31 million fine by the UK Information Commissioner for a 2023 breach compromising genetic and personal data of millions. It's essential for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and maintain public trust.
In the light of the cited SOCA report and the Leveson Inquiry, it seems that the legal sector, including high-profile matrimonial lawyers and litigators, may also be engaged in questionable practices, as they are reportedly among the industries hiring private investigators who illegally hack computers. This raises concerns about data breaches and privacy invasions, especially in light of the increasing number of cyber attacks affecting various industries, such as retail companies and cultural institutions.
