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Airbus admits to spying on staff Airbus admits to spying on staff
(about 2 hours later)
Aircraft maker Airbus has admitted to spying on its staff in an attempt to uncover potential corruption.Aircraft maker Airbus has admitted to spying on its staff in an attempt to uncover potential corruption.
Airbus ordered checks on all staff working in Germany from 2005 to 2007, its parent company EADS acknowledged. Airbus ordered checks on all staff working in Germany from 2005 to 2007, the company acknowledged.
The checks were to see if workers' bank account numbers matched those of suppliers. No wrongdoing was found.The checks were to see if workers' bank account numbers matched those of suppliers. No wrongdoing was found.
The head of Germany's national rail operator Deutsche Bahn resigned this week after the company also admitted to spying on thousands of its employees.The head of Germany's national rail operator Deutsche Bahn resigned this week after the company also admitted to spying on thousands of its employees.
An internal comparison of data was seen as legally allowed at the time EADS Deutsche Bahn shaken by spying scandal At that time, an internal comparison of data was regarded as being legally permissible Airbus Deutsche Bahn shaken by spying scandal
The Airbus checks, which were ordered by former management at the company's German business, emerged in an audit launched by current management.The Airbus checks, which were ordered by former management at the company's German business, emerged in an audit launched by current management.
"An internal comparison of data was seen as legally allowed at the time," EADS said. "At that time, an internal comparison of data was regarded as being legally permissible," Airbus said.
However, it added that it would not do anything like this again.However, it added that it would not do anything like this again.
Staff were immediately informed of the matter.Staff were immediately informed of the matter.
Corporate surveillanceCorporate surveillance
It is the second high-profile case this year of a company admitting to snooping on its workers in Germany.It is the second high-profile case this year of a company admitting to snooping on its workers in Germany.
On Monday, Deutsche Bahn's chief executive Hartmut Mehdorn handed in his resignation after details emerged of an investigation the firm had led into corruption.On Monday, Deutsche Bahn's chief executive Hartmut Mehdorn handed in his resignation after details emerged of an investigation the firm had led into corruption.
Deutsche Bahn monitored tens of thousands of staff e-mails over many years to check whether they were being critical of the company's policies.Deutsche Bahn monitored tens of thousands of staff e-mails over many years to check whether they were being critical of the company's policies.
Mr Mehdorn said he had not been aware of the spying but expressed regret over what had happened.Mr Mehdorn said he had not been aware of the spying but expressed regret over what had happened.