Leaked Recording: Inside Apple's Global War On Leakers (theoutline.com)

Reader citadrianne writes: A recording of an internal briefing at Apple earlier this month obtained by The Outline sheds new light on how far the most valuable company in the world will go to prevent leaks about new products. The briefing, titled 'Stopping Leakers -- Keeping Confidential at Apple,' was led by Director of Global Security David Rice, Director of Worldwide Investigations Lee Freedman, and Jenny Hubbert, who works on the Global Security communications and training team. According to the hour-long presentation, Apple's Global Security team employs an undisclosed number of investigators around the world to prevent information from reaching competitors, counterfeiters, and the press, as well as hunt down the source when leaks do occur. Some of these investigators have previously worked at U.S. intelligence agencies like the National Security Administration (NSA), law enforcement agencies like the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, and in the U.S. military. Top-notch reporting from The Outline, consider reading the full report. During the briefing, a company executive said they have been able to find two employees who leaked information to media.

Comments

The Irony

[XXongo]

Of course, the irony of a leak about leakers being leaked is amusing.

Re:The Irony

[cunina]

May I offer you a seat on the board of Uber?

Some of these investigators have previously

[Anonymous Coward]

> Some of these investigators have previously worked at U.S. intelligence agencies like the National Security Administration (NSA)

Credentials check out

Tired of the Leaks

[Frightened_Turtle]

I'm getting tired with all the leaks. It's like looking at all the presents under the Christmas tree and knowing what is in each wrapped box. It takes all the fun out of it. Let me be surprised!

Re:Tired of the Leaks

[Anonymous Coward]

For someone with a six-digit UID you sure have a weird way of looking at shit. For actual professionals who need tools to do work, Apple's secrecy is a horrible way of planning capital purchases. There is a reason that Microsoft and Intel publish their roadmap for years into the future. At Apple, they have a "pro" computer which is about five years old, they've promised to sell a $5,000 (starting price) "pro" iMac starting at the end of this year, and they say we're getting a "pro" computer next year. Will it be a normal tower computer like everyone has been screaming for since the day they announced the current "pro" trashcan? Not bloody likely. But we have no idea what it's going to be. For consumer junk like the new Apple Alexa, fine, surprise people, who cares. For real tools for people with budgets and planning this process is ridiculous.

LEO/agency -- corporate mercenary suppliers

[swb]

I love the fact that our police and intelligence agencies provide a never-ending stream of corporate mercenaries for hire.

Wouldn't it make more sense for some of these people (FBI, NSA, etc) just to be barred from working in private intelligence jobs? Anyone above a certain level with 10+ years has a choice to either keep working to full pension age or get a partial pension, but in either case they are barred from working as private intelligence/enforcement mercenaries.

It's one thing for an ex-street cop to work as a security guard or a bouncer, but should we really be spending a bunch of taxpayer money training and educating FBI, NSA or other intelligence-type people just so they can take that knowledge and information and apply it to what amounts to private enforcement and intelligence gathering efforts?