Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are speaking out against “predatory practices” used by British tabloids after a bombshell report from Byline Investigates revealed The Sun used illegal measures to obtain the Duchess of Sussex's private information. According to the report, the tabloid hired Los Angeles-based private investigator Dan Hanks to obtain sensitive information about the Duchess, including her social security number and her family members' addresses.
Hanks spoke with Byline Investigates about his business dealings with The Sun, sharing that he produced a 90-page report on Meghan when she first started dating Harry back in October 2016. In addition to her social security number, the 90-page report also included Meghan's cell phone number, the numbers of many of her relatives, and background information on her ex-husband.
The way Hanks obtained the information was illegal, as well. He admitted to retrieving the information from a database intended for use by licensed private investigators only. Selling information obtained from that database to news organizations is legal. Hanks also alleges that The Sun made him sign a letter stating he would not use illegal practices but then "the reporters came back to me and said, 'but if you want to get work, keep doing what you’ve been doing,' with a nod and a wink.'"
Hanks apologized to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for his actions while speaking with Byline Investigates. "I’m sorry to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for targeting her family, particularly her dad, on behalf of The Sun. I never wanted to cause Meghan Markle harm, and wouldn’t have done the job if I’d have known it would lead to all these problems. I also wanted to take this opportunity to apologize to The Queen, because I realize the harm of what I did for The Sun has affected the whole family."
Following the release of the report, Harry and Meghan shared a statement to The Guardian. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex feel that today is an important moment of reflection for the media industry and society at large, as this investigative report shows that the predatory practices of days past are still ongoing, reaping irreversible damage for families and relationships," the statement reads. "They are grateful to those working in media who stand for upholding the values of journalism, which are needed now more than ever before."
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