Wal-Mart Defends Security Measures Wednesday April 4, 6:04 pm ET, By Marcus Kabel, AP Business Writer Wal-Mart Defends Security After Ex-Worker Details Surveillance of Employees, Consultants BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Wal-Mart's normally low-profile security efforts were thrust into the limelight Wednesday when a fired technician alleged he had been part of a large surveillance operation that spied on company workers, critics, vendors and consultants. The company defended its security practices. The world's largest retailer declined to comment on specific allegations made by 19-year veteran Bruce Gabbard to the Wall Street Journal in a report published Wednesday. Wal-Mart reiterated that it had fired Gabbard, 44, and his supervisor last month for violating company policy by recording phone calls and intercepting pager messages. "Like most major corporations, it is our corporate responsibility to have systems in place, including software systems, to monitor threats to our network, intellectual property and our people," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sarah Clark said. Gabbard was fired after recording phone calls to and from a New York Times reporter and intercepting pager messages... http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070404/wal_mart_eavesdropping.html?.v=16&printer=1