Wednesday 2 September 2009

$27 billion lawsuit could fold due to $50 covert surveillance device

In what may be the deciding twist in a 16 year, $27 billion lawsuit between the oil giant Chevron and the country of Ecuador covert video recordings have been released. These videos (and audio recordings) appear to implicate Ecuadorian politicians and officials (including possibly the judge overseeing the case) in potential wrong-doing.

The recordings appear to suggest that a $3 million bribe for environmental clean-up was obtained (or trying to be obtained) and the damages had been pre-decided.

What is a real eye-opener is the cheapness and effectiveness of the mass-produced 'spy cameras' used in this incident. Two main types were used; the 'spy pen' (here on Amazon UK from £14.99 and Ebay from £15.49) and the 'spy watch' (here on Amazon UK from £29.99 and Ebay from £23.49). These kind of devices are now being produced in the millions per year (predominately in China) and most can happily record 2 hours of audio and video.

If you are concerned about your privacy (or where the millions of covert video recorders are) contact a counter-surveillance specialist (like FaberBrent) to help mitigate this ever growing risk.

Chevron have published the actual videos and full transcripts here...
New York times article here...

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