Lack of Internal Security Leads to Diplomatic Incident

Written By
Eric Lundquist
Eric Lundquist
Published: Mar 3, 2008
Updated: Feb 2, 2021
1 minute read
eWeek content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

This is a blog post from my colleague Mike Vizard.

The fragility of internal security controls is high on the minds of the German people in the wake of a recent tax scandal. Citizens of Germany that had been hiding certain financial assets from their government by creating bank accounts in nearby Lichtenstein were shocked to discover that the Federal Government of Germany would pay an employee of a Lichtenstein bank to copy their financial records onto a DVD drive and then hand them over the German government.

That employee is now reportedly living in Australia under the terms of his deal with the German government. Meanwhile, the number of German people suddenly remembering to declare certain assets to the German government is reportedly increasing while relations between Germany and Lichtenstein are reportedly strained over the matter.

Eric Lundquist

Eric Lundquist

Content Writer

Since 1996, Eric Lundquist has been Editor in Chief of eWEEK, which includes domestic, international and online editions. As eWEEK's EIC, Lundquist oversees a staff of nearly 40 editors, reporters and Labs analysts covering product, services and companies in the high-technology community. He is a frequent speaker at industry gatherings and user events and sits on numerous advisory boards. Eric writes the popular weekly column, 'Up Front,' and he is a confidant of eWEEK's Spencer F. Katt gossip columnist.

eWeek Logo

eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site's focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.