Apple CEO Tim Cook is furious that employees won't stop leaking confidential information, according to leaked memo

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Apple CEO Tim Cook is furious that employees won't stop leaking confidential information, according to leaked memo
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
  • Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly discouraged leaking in a memo that was ultimately leaked itself.
  • He wrote that "people who leak confidential information do not belong here," according to The Verge.
  • Cook reportedly also told staff that Apple is "doing everything in our power" to identify leakers.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly tried to discourage staff from leaking confidential information in a recent company memo.

Then employees leaked that memo too.

Cook wrote an email to staff on Tuesday to address recent leaks of information, according to The Verge, which obtained a copy of the memo.

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In the email, Cook brought up leaks that came from an internal company meeting last Friday. Leaked audio recordings of the meeting revealed that unvaccinated Apple employees will have to be regularly tested for COVID-19. They also showed that Cook said he was "looking forward to moving forward" after a ruling was delivered in the antitrust case between Apple and "Fortnite" maker Epic Games.

"I'm writing today because I've heard from so many of you were were incredibly frustrated to see the contents of the meeting leak to reporters. This comes after a product launch in which most of the details of our announcements were also leaked to the press," Cook wrote in the memo, according to The Verge. "I want you to know that I share your frustration."

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Cook tried to deter staff from leaking additional information, saying Apple is "doing everything in our power to identify those who leaked."

"As you know, we do not tolerate disclosures of confidential information, whether it's product IP or the details of a confidential meeting," he continued in the memo. "We know that the leakers constitute a small number of people. We also know that people who leak confidential information do not belong here."

Earlier this month, Apple fired senior engineering program manager Ashley Gjøvik, reportedly because she leaked confidential information. Gjøvik had tweeted allegations of discrimination and harassment at the company for months. Last month, a group of Apple employees launched a website called AppleToo for staffers to share stories of mistreatment at the tech giant.

Apple's global security team enlists investigators, some of whom used to work at agencies like the FBI and Secret Service, to prevent leaks and track down leakers once information does get out, according to The Outline.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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