Dunn done at HP
And you sure aren't going to see me complain about it.
HP (That arguably stands for "Hackers of Privacy," not "Hewlett-Packard") Chairwoman Patricia Dunn is "stepping down from" (perhaps that's better phrased "was kicked from") the helm of the technology giant's board of directors. Her departure from the top job is to take effect Jan. 18 -- although she is expected to continue serving as a director.
As many now know, Dunn and other HP execs tried to clamp down on boardroom leaks to the media by hiring private investigators who now are accused of identity theft. Turns out the gumshoes didn't see much wrong with using shady -- if not illegal -- tactics to gain the professional and private phone records of at least nine journalists and members of HP's board.
Dunn has defended her role in the probe, insisting she didn't know the investigators were using such "inappropriate techniques." While that may be true, it's a lame excuse. The old buck, as they say, stopped with her.
The lesson in all of this for journalists? Never let down your guard. Not for a second. Ever. The truth is always -- and without question -- more important than the image any company hopes to project to protect its bottom line.