George S. May Business Blog

Delta Airlines accused of hacking emails

Delta Airlines is finding themselves in court after being accused of hacking into the email account of Kate Hanni, founder of the “Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights”. Allegedly, the airline hacked emails and then used them to try to undermine the organization.

“Hanni claims she learned from America Online her personal e-mail files were redirected to an unknown location, along with donor lists, spreadsheets and other data. The lawsuit alleges the e-mail hacking began in 2008 and continued into 2009 as Hanni communicated with an airline industry consultant who analyzed airline delays for the federal government.

The consultant, Frederick J. Foreman, provided a sworn affidavit that he was authorized to share publicly available data with Hanni and news reporters, but was terminated on Sept. 25 by Metron when Delta officials learned of the communications. According to the complaint, “When Foreman asked Metron how they got the e-mails, Metron claimed that Delta had provided them with the stolen e-mails.”

“This lawsuit is intended to show the flying public how Delta responded to our organization’s promise to help improve the health, safety, dignity and well-being of airline passengers,” Hanni said in a prepared statement. “Delta’s conduct at our nation’s airports and behind the scenes deserves scrutiny.”

A spokesman for Delta strongly denied the allegations of e-mail hacking.

“Obviously the idea that Delta would hack into someone’s e-mail is clearly without merit. Since this involves pending litigation we cannot comment further,” Delta spokesman Trebor Banstetter said.” (source)

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