Apple tries to track source of leaks with fake product names

Posted on Thursday, January 18 2007 @ 8:28 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Apple came up with a plan to detect who's leaking information to the press by planting fake product names:
"Former Apple employees say the company plants fake product names within workgroups to track the source of media leaks," the article says. Perhaps this is why they are former employees? Regardless, this is a very smart idea for Apple to figure out exactly where the leaks are coming from, and this is likely why my college friends who now work at Apple are afraid to tell me what they ate for lunch today, much less what they are working on at the moment or what they've heard is coming down the pipeline. I don't blame them.

Apple also reportedly monitors employees' surfing activity during the day—not a surprise, as most companies do this to some degree or another—but scolds employees who spend too much time reading "rumor sites," specifically, while at work. I suppose it makes sense—employees who find out too much via rumor sites might be able to then verify the rumors around campus based on what they already know from the Internet, which is something Apple doesn't want. The more secrecy, even among employees, the better.
More details at ARSTechnica.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



Loading Comments