Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 29, 1994 TAG: 9405290030
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANCHESTER, N.H. LENGTH: Medium
The best gossip - particularly conversations about cheating on spouses - would later make the rounds of the shop, the employee said in Saturday's edition of the Manchester Union Leader.
"They would make fun of people's private lives," said Tammy O'Neal, who worked at Dunkin' Donuts for three years before being fired in 1992.
The stores' current managers said no one is listening to customers' conversations now.
News reports last week revealed that Dunkin' Donuts and other businesses routinely used hidden microphones for security and to monitor customer service.
A security contractor said he installed audio taping systems in about 300 Dunkin' Donuts stores in the Northeast. Others say hidden microphones are common in many businesses, including restaurants and clothing stores.
A South Florida company, U.S. Arms, has installed at least 1,000 hidden microphones in retail stores, its owner, Allan Lawrence, told The New York Times. He said they include dime-sized mikes on clothing racks to eavesdrop on potential shoplifters.
Responding to the stories, Dunkin' Donuts directed its shops nationwide to unplug the microphones and destroy tapes. It said video monitoring may continue.
Spokesman Bill Chiccarelli said franchise owners are not obligated to obey, but "with all the adverse publicity, we are confident they will comply."
Meanwhile, New Hampshire Attorney General Jeffrey Howard banned the microphones, saying they violated state law. He said as many as 35 Dunkin' Donuts stores broke the law, but he did not intend to press charges.
by CNB