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)

Related posts:

1. Delta Airlines may buy a part of Japan Airlines Delta Airlines is considering pumping cash, (a couple hundred million, pointedly) into Japan Airlines in return for a stake in the company. Can you hear...


2. Delta, United, Continental Airlines all raising baggage fees Reuters reported that Delta Air Lines Inc., United Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc. are all getting set to raise bag fees again. “The higher fees follow...


3. Swine flu fall-out: Airlines to waive cancellation fees for changed flights to Mexico All the talk of the dangers of traveling to Mexico, combined with the fact that I have a ticket to Cabo San Lucas next week,...


4. United Airlines Implements ‘Chubby Charge’   United Airlines has a new policy for portly passengers. If the plane is full, obese passengers will be forced to buy a second...


5. Southwest Airlines passengers get a big scare as a hole opens up in plane A Southwest Airlines 737 on its way from Nashville to Baltimore was forced to conduct an emergency landing in West Virginia last night after...