Ikea France: Trial over its alleged spying on staff and customers begins

Ikea France is set to face its complainants in court as the lawsuit over its alleged spying on customers and staff was scheduled to start on Monday, March 22. The French unit of the Swedish furniture retail company has been accused of setting up an extensive scheme to spy on its employees and job applicants.

As per Korea’s The Investor, Ikea France hired police officers and private detectives to secretly snoop on people of interest. It was reported that some of the company’s executives are also at risk of getting prison terms for these illegal spying activities within the firm.

People who are likely to be charged in the case

The authorities have searched Ikea France’s headquarters as well as the homes of the company’s management team members this month. It was revealed that computers were examined, and documents were seized as part of the upcoming trial for the illegal surveillance practices.

A total of 15 people are set to appear in a Versailles court where the case has been scheduled to be heard. The group consists of Ikea France’s managers, high-ranking officials, and its former CEO, Stefan Vanoverbeke.

The current chief, Jean-Louis Baillot, was also called for the preliminary inquiry. Four police officers who were accused of providing confidential information are also expected to be in court.

The charges that all guilty individuals will be sentenced for include illegal gathering of personal information, violating professional confidentiality, and receiving illegally gathered personal information. Some of these are said to carry a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years.

The uncovering of Ikea’s alleged spying scheme

This case against Ikea France began in 2012 after French investigative publications Mediapart and Le Canard Enchaine uncovered the illegal surveillance practice in that year. The case reached the prosecutors after the Force Ouvriere trade union formally lodged a complaint.

At least two of the French trade unions filed a lawsuit against Ikea France and accused the retailer of spying on its own staff by fraudulently acquiring police files. The Guardian reported that the company paid police in exchange for personal information on its clients who are involved in disputes with the company and workers involved with labor unions.