Activists blamed for Shell data leak could work in Aberdeen

A DATA leak endangering oil workers was committed by undercover environmental activists, it has been claimed.

The Evening Express told how a database containing more than 100,000 personal details about Shell employees and contractors was leaked from the oil firm.

A 116-strong group claiming to be full-time Shell employees – some of whom could be working in Aberdeen – have claimed responsibility for the data leak.

And they claim the database leak was the end of an organised “inside job” to highlight alleged human rights abuses in oil-rich Nigeria.

A 177-page manifesto from the group detailed the planned infiltration operation of oil giant Shell.

It said: “It is absolutely necessary to have some insider access to these corporations in order to achieve any meaningful change.

“Far more meaningful change can be accomplished if you are employed with a corporation you despise and use your insider access to launch a corporate revolution.”

Oil firm Shell today said an investigation would be launched.

The database, from Shell’s internal directory, gives names and telephone numbers for all the company’s workforce worldwide, including some home numbers used for business.

Shell has a major base in Aberdeen’s Altens.

The security breach suggests oil giant Shell may be hit by further action from campaigners “bent on damaging the company”, according to blogger John Donovan, who was sent a copy of the database.

A Shell spokesman today said: “The details of such data are primarily business related. We will investigate this matter.”

jmckiernan@ajl.co.uk