Many gamers who see this title might wonder; what bug? Is this is the same Mass Effect Legendary Edition being played? Do not fret, this is the right place for players who can't find where to plant the bug and for players who don't know what the bug is. This is a mission that is often missed and skipped, not due to negligence, but because the mission is hiding and not in plain sight.
And it is important to pick it up, even for gamers who wouldn't call themselves completionists. The mission has minor implications on Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, so players that like the feeling of making a galaxy a better place and then getting credit for doing so on the major news networks will want to be sure to accomplish this quirky objective.
Helping Emily Wong And Passing Time
As a prerequisite, this mission is inaccessible until helping Emily Wong get Fist's data on the Citadel. Even after dealing with Fist, his files will be on the floor in his office, so it's never too late to go back. Emily herself will be in the Wards, right in between the Med Clinic and the Markets.
Be sure to treat her nicely or else she won't turn to Shepard for the second part of this mission. For those worried and thinking they may have punched her in the face, that's a different reporter; Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani. She has no bearing on this mission.
After turning in the files and parting on good terms, leave the Citadel and pick up Liara T'Soni or knock out any other major mission. This will tell the game that time has passed. Return to the Citadel.
Planting The Bug
Once back on the Citadel, go to the Citadel Tower and speak to Emily Wong. She's very easy to miss and has changed outfits since last visiting her. She'll be at the foot of the Council steps. Players have no other reason to go here unless they've been summoned to Council and, if they have been summoned, then Emily will not appear at that time, so it's truly a matter of knowing where she is ahead of time.
What Emily is doing does indeed sound fishy, but there are no negative effects, either statistically or in the story if Shepard helps her. In fact, helping her will prove to change conditions for the better during future installments of the series. It goes without saying, but be sure to accept her mission.
Fast travel to the C-Sec headquarters and go down the hall, past Detective Chellick on the left and Jahleed on the right. Head upstairs and into the traffic control room.
Find a spot against the railing on the side. Don't worry about wandering eyes, Shepard can't be detected when performing this motion. When close enough to the location, an indicator will pop up to plant the bug. Do so, then return to Emily in the Citadel Tower. She'll give her thanks and that's the end of the mission, congratulations!