Leaks were an annoyance for Apple last year, and it’s taking the matter very seriously. So much so, it had 12 employees arrested last year for leaking information about the company’s software and hardware plans.
News of these firings were learned from, ironically, a leaked internal memo in which Apple warns employees about the consequences of leaks. The consequences include being fired, and in specific cases, being arrested. Leaking trade secrets is a federal crime, pointed out the memo.
“Leakers do not simply lose their jobs at Apple,” the memo says. “ In some cases, they face jail time and massive fines for network intrusion and theft of trade secrets both classified as federal crimes.”
Apple revealed it caught 29 leakers in 2017, of which 12 were arrested. Among the people caught leaking were employees, contractors and suppliers.
The memo goes on reveal some of the responses from the caught leakers. They stated they didn’t think they would get caught. Apple warns against this. News sites will try to befriend employees in an effort to attain key information, but they are only “getting played.”
Some of the leakers caught include the one who leaked details of an internal meeting in which senior vice president of engineering breaks the news Apple will delay certain iOS features and another who leaked information about the iPhone X, iPad Pro and AirPods to 9to5Mac.
Apple went on to state rather ominously that if employees are fired, they may find it difficult to find a job elsewhere. The memo is a warning to employees: Do not leak information or the consequences will be severe.
