This is the Information Age. Information is money and power in the business world.
More people have access to spy-tech electronics.
High-tech catalogs and retail stores sell wireless microphones, tiny TV cameras, optical scanners, and other electronic equipment unheard of a few years ago. Much of this equipment has legal uses, but may be used illegally in espionage. Lowered ethical expectations. People are often left to judge for themselves what is ethical or unethical. This can be difficult in a highly competitive marketplace.