Wife blows spy’s cover on Facebook
July 10, 2009 by Sam NarisiPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter - Tech
You’d think some people would know better when it comes to keeping sensitive information off the Web.
Shelley Sawers, wife of the new head of the British Secret Intelligence Service MI6, opened a Facebook account and posted photographs of her family, the location of their home and the identities of several close family friends and associates.
Her husband must’ve been pretty surprised to learn his wife had posted such personal information (as well as pictures of him in his swim trunks) on a social networking site, given that MI6 employees are bound by strict secrecy guidelines.
Mrs. Sawers’ family will most-likely need to be moved and her children may now need extra protection.
The move was not only an embarrassment for her husband, but the British government, which just announced its new “strategy for cyber security,” a cross-government program to address the UK’s cyber security issues.
You may not be head of the Secret Intelligence Service, but how important do you think it is to keep personal information or pictures off social networking sites?
July 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
You gotta wonder if Mrs. Sawer knew what her husband did for a living. If she did, is she really stupid, or was she wanting to blow her husband’s idenity and the safety of her family?
July 14th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Maybe she fell into the trap that many do on the internet. Many (most?) think of who they want to reach or communicate with on the internet, but do not think of the rest of the world who can find you there. She wanted to find an easy way to share with trusted friends but used a media that made that available to all.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I find it hard to believe she did not know her husband’s position. She more than likely did it, as Cindy speculates, to end his career. Her way, however, may have made things worse in so far as the safety and security of her family is concerned. The husband did resign from his position so if she did it on purpose she succeeded.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
You’d think COMMON SENSE would lead the way in a situation like this, but I guess she just wasn’t thinking – to her demise.
I think there was a lot of assumption on both sides – she didn’t understand the importance of discretion and he thought she should know better. He’s as much to blame as she. Huge lack of communication here wouldn’t you say?
July 15th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I think he and the kids should be relocated and Mrs Sawer left behind. Not too bright.
July 15th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Maybe she didn’t know what he did for a living? I don’t think there is anything wrong with posting pictures on the social networking sites. Most people go on to connect with old friends and family. However, I would never include my EXACT address, phone numbers or personal e-mail address. Only my City and State and that may be too much. Someone might get a hold of that information that probably shouldn’t.
Carol: Too Funny!
July 15th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Probably I watch too much TV! All of you have extremely valid points. COMMON SENSE is an excellent take on this. She obviously doesn’t have much!
July 24th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I do not post ANY personal information on ANY website that has my name or picture. I am the office manager for a very rural cleaning company but I don’t want any future employers or friends having access to such personal information. I believe personal information should remain personal and private. I don’t understand people’s need to be KNOWN in the web community. She may not have realized that her page was not restricted to only her friends but was publicly available for anyone. Give her a BREAK…not everyone is WEB-SAVVY!