Ikea fined ૨ 1.5 million for spying in France

Versailles, Ta. 13

A French court has fined IKEA, a giant that sells furniture and home decor items, to one million euros (૨ 1.5 million) for spying on union representatives, employees and some offended customers in France.

Two former Ikea France executives have been convicted and sentenced to suspended prison terms. In the high profile case, some of the 12 other delegates were acquitted and some were given suspended sentences.

Abel Amara, a former IKEA employee who helped expose the wrongdoing, called the verdict a "big decision" to protect citizens. "I am just happy that there is justice in France," he said.

A Versailles court judge found that IKEA's French subsidiary, between 2009 and 2012, isolated troubled employees and spied on complaining customers.

Trade unions allege that Ikea France illegally collected personal data such as obtaining a police file and illegally disclosing personal information.

Ikea France's lawyers, however, denied that the company had devised any specific tactics for espionage.

IKEA's France subsidiary has 6 stores in France, an e-commerce site, a custom support center and more than 10,000 employees.