Wal-Mart Watch Seeks Additional Information About Wal-Mart’s “Threat Research” Operation
For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Washington, D.C. – Wal-Mart Watch executive director David Nassar today sent a letter to Wal-Mart C.E.O. Lee Scott, addressing concerns about Wal-Mart’s “Threat Research” security operation that monitors employees, shareholders, consultants, reporters and critics. The full text of the letter is below:
April 5, 2007
Lee Scott
President and C.E.O.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, AR 72712Dear Mr. Scott,
We were alarmed to read an article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal (“Inside Wal-Mart’s ‘Threat Research’ Operation,” Zimmerman & McWilliams) that detailed the inner workings of Wal-Mart’s “Threat Research” corporate security operation. We’re particularly concerned about a specific aspect of “Threat Research” that involved Mr. Bruce Gabbard’s attempts to collect personal information about a Wal-Mart Watch employee in advance of his trip to Bentonville for the 2006 Wal-Mart Shareholder’s Meeting. Mr. Gabbard’s investigation involved scouring the Web site of his former employer for identifying photos. Mr. Gabbard ultimately found his 2004 personal vacation photos, which were buried several directories deep on the Web site with no public links to the page.
We recognize that Wal-Mart has an obligation and responsibility to protect its corporate assets and ensure the security of its top executives. But the activities detailed in yesterday’s story make Wal-Mart appear paranoid, childish and desperate. Furthermore, the activities could potentially put Wal-Mart in legal jeopardy, as evidenced by the recent Hewlett-Packard spying scandal.
Wal-Mart Watch and many of the organizations that introduce shareholder resolutions are requesting more transparency for Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart’s defensive response to their legitimate questions – wiretapping and monitoring reporters, shareholders, consultants and critics – confirms much of their original criticism. We intend ask questions about the company and its business practices, because we think that increased transparency is in the best interests of Wal-Mart directors, employees and shareholders. We’d like to start with the following questions about the activities of your “Threat Research” operation:
Were you aware of Mr. Gabbard’s surveillance activities? What other personal information have you collected on current or former Wal-Mart Watch employees? If Wal-Mart Watch employees (who are company shareholders) attend the 2007 Shareholder’s Meeting, do you intend to monitor their activities? Wal-Mart employees at the Bentonville Home Office (Internet Protocol address: 161.165.192.60) frequently visit the Wal-Mart Watch Web site. How closely do you monitor their communications with our organization? Has your “Threat Research” operation ever intercepted a phone conversation or e-mail message from Wal-Mart Watch?
We look forward to your prompt response to our questions.
Sincerely,David Nassar
Executive Director
Wal-Mart Watch
