Apple Rumor Casualty...

MacRumors · 02:51 PM

The intense interest in Apple-related news and rumors is what fuels the Apple rumor scene... and frequently uncovers publically available information (Motorola PDFs, Toshiba 1.8" Drive Specs, 20.1" Apple LCD)

However, this weblog (2:02pm Sat, Feb 8th) details an unfortunate casualty of this phenomenon, due to some screenshots that were publically accessible on the web:

Quote:

I lost my job at Apple yesterday. The job I held to the highest regard, the job where I had the most respect. It's gone. Here is the full story.

Hemingray · Feb 8, 2003, 08:01 PM

That..... really.... sucks. I feel for that guy.

edesignuk · Feb 8, 2003, 08:01 PM

Poor guy, must be absolutly gutted

michaelyoung · Feb 8, 2003, 08:07 PM

Im not totally clear on what the shots were of.

Did anyone get that?

What was it that was seen?

rubikcube · Feb 8, 2003, 08:09 PM

That really sucks. However, being a computer science person, he really should have known better.

macktheknife · 08:15 PM

The poor kid was definitely negligent in leaving his files accessible to the web, but pbzone should have first and foremost contacted the guy directly before posting his info on their site. I think pbzone was very, very irresponsible. You just don't post a news article online telling the world who the leak is.

I hope that MacRumors will exercise more care in the future with their sources in light of this incident. Rumors are nice and fun for the rest of us, but for some, they mean real business and could lead to unintended consequences.

The Wingnut · Feb 8, 2003, 08:13 PM

This is really sad. It's unfortunate that this person lost his job as a result of the actions of some members of the Mac rumor community. One would hope that this never happens again in the future. IMHO the folks at PBZone should be ashamed of themselves.

My profound sympathy goes out to the person who suffered from this event.

macktheknife · Feb 8, 2003, 08:22 PM

I sent the kid an e-mail with my condolences. Is there anyone who owns a Mac store in North Carolina or know of anyone who owns one? The guy sounds like he really loves Mac, and it would be a great shame to lose such a salesman.

jaykk · Feb 8, 2003, 08:27 PM

I saw the screenshorts, its of apple's internal applications. They have a nice VNC client. So sad to hear the news that he was terminated. I wish him good luck.

voicegy · Feb 8, 2003, 08:29 PM

Thus speaks the power of the Non Disclosure Agreement. It's a tough break, but Adam is young and seems pretty together...he'll pull through it, and I wish him well. Very interesting post.

It can be a tangled Web out there....

Niknar · Feb 8, 2003, 08:32 PM

I totally feel for this guy.

I hope someone at Apple relises this was on big mistake. He dose sound like he has good potential.

Also wtf were the people that posted his name and position in Apple thinking!?! anyone with one brain cell could have figured out he would get fired for this.

This shows that rumors can go to far.

I hope we all learn from this.

Nermal · Feb 8, 2003, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rubikcube
That really sucks. However, being a computer science person, he really should have known better.

He didn't realise the the files were shared, they were not sitting in his shared folder. He had a symlink to a different folder, which in turn had another symlink to the screenshots. It can be hard to notice this sort of thing, so don't be too harsh on him.

MacAztec · Feb 8, 2003, 08:36 PM

I think that is sad. But I dont understand what the screenshots were of?

How come we never saw em?

Chaszmyr · Feb 8, 2003, 08:41 PM

I would be absolutely devestated if I were him...

BigCanoe · Feb 8, 2003, 08:42 PM

That's my local Apple store, the people there are so nice

dricci · Feb 8, 2003, 08:42 PM

What were the PBzone people thinking when they posted his personal information? That is just going way too far IMO. Of course, he probably shouldn't have been keeping screen shots of anything on his machine, but accidents do happen and he is at fault for that. But I feel the PBzone people are out of line.

Quote:

Doing some research and tapping some sources, we've learned a few things. First, it appears the employee that posted the files is one Adam Attarian, who is an employee at the Southpoint Apple Store in North Carolina. Apple's employee directory lists him as a "mailroom" worker, but we assume that's a listing that's used for Apple Store employees that may work in the stockroom or the like.

Mr. Attarian is also currently a computer science freshman at NC State.

This almost seems like stalking!? WTF?

sedarby · Feb 8, 2003, 08:51 PM

Journalists. Worse than politicians.

They'll do anything, and I mean anything to one up the other sites.

More incidences like this and you'll be able to here all the reliable sources drying up.

Niknar · Feb 8, 2003, 08:55 PM

I emailed PBzone over this saying they should atleast give the guy a public apology and told them they were well out of line on posting the guys private information.

f***ing idiots.

Sun Baked · Feb 8, 2003, 08:55 PM

The community is hungry for information, if you posts links to your website -- people are going to look around.

If you leave any hole open with info that can violate your NDA, that's a huge brain fart. The info is going to be spread as quickly as it is found. And he admits he handed people the link to his website.

While you can feel sorry for him for a momentary lapse of brain function, he'll be lucky if Apple just decides to leave it at termination of employment.

Apple is taking a bit stronger stance against people violating the NDA.

Mr. Anderson · Feb 8, 2003, 08:57 PM

You're all feeling sorry for his stupidity? I don't think anyone is to blame but him. If you go to his site most stuff is open and available, directory listing, etc. It was just a matter of time before someone found something. That and the fact that he actually went and posted something to slashdot? Well, he's young and not even out of college yet, so he's got plenty of time to reverse any possible issues that might come about, except ever working at Apple again.

They did seem to take a bit of hard line though, which is the only unfortunate thing. And getting a call by 'some guy at Apple' telling you you're terminated is pretty lame. It should have come from his boss.

Silliness, all of it. Anyone know if anything shown was even that important?

D

mozez · Feb 8, 2003, 09:01 PM

as much as i feel sorry for him, he took the screenshots, which i have to wonder why, if only for personal reasons, why do you need them, and second, taking those screenshots home is illegal, he did it to himself. maybe he didn't want to get fired, but if somebody leaked my stuff, i'd fire their ass. he's more upset he got caught, not upset about what he did. his mistake was taking the screenshots, not putting them on the web, that was an added mistake that made his mistake public. yes, that website went way too far with info, but any leak of apple stuff, or any companies stuff can have a dramatic effect on stock, compitition, and alot more.
a job at an apple store is fun and neat, but not a career, so i think he should feel lucky he's not being sued by apple and possible jail time, but rather just being let go, believe it or not, but he is lucky to just be let of the hook. he'll be fine in the end all of things. still, a sad day for rumors.

dricci · Feb 8, 2003, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dukestreet
You're all feeling sorry for his stupidity?

No, he did a major screw up. He shouldn't have had any screen shots on his machine at all (as I said in my previous post).

However, PBzone SHOULD NOT have posted his personal information (that shouldn't even be accessible to the public, like his Job title and location. That's not public information unless he gives it out to the news site).

He majorly screwed up, but PBzone should have a little bit more sense than posting personal information to the public. That sets them up for possible lawsuits, too. Not exactly sure which type, but a crafty lawyer could figure something out.

macktheknife · Feb 8, 2003, 09:06 PM

I think most people will agree that the kid was negligent--he should not have left the photos on his website and he probably should not have taken them in the first place. However, I still think that pbzone was plain irresponsible--they should have exercised some care and thought before blabbing to the world the kid's personal info.

dricci · Feb 8, 2003, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mozez
taking those screenshots home is illegal

Most NDAs allow employees to do whatever they want with the information, except communicating it or sharing it to others. So he could probably take it home legally, however posting it to a public web directory would be a major no-no.

Dont Hurt Me · 09:15 PM

I feel for him to but on the otherhand he should not have been posting anything period .Having worked in the medical field its like patient confidentiality. He should not have been posting this stuff. I know he didnt realize but i also see he was very young and therefore naive to some extent. I guess apple has their employees sign some type of form not to divulge this and that and it turns out he did just that.I also bet his boss caught hell for this also.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:01 PM	#3
edesignuk Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Great(?) Britain	Poor guy, must be absolutly gutted __________________ Search before you post: MRoogle **Better BBC Search**

Feb 8, 2003, 08:12 PM	#6
macktheknife macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002	That was very irresponsible of pbzone The poor kid was definitely negligent in leaving his files accessible to the web, but pbzone should have first and foremost contacted the guy directly before posting his info on their site. I think pbzone was very, very irresponsible. You just don't post a news article online telling the world who the leak is. I hope that MacRumors will exercise more care in the future with their sources in light of this incident. Rumors are nice and fun for the rest of us, but for some, they mean real business and could lead to unintended consequences. __________________ "We are repeatedly what we do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." -- Aristotle "Far too many Mac users walk about in a daze convinced that Steve Jobs is their friend." -- "Matsu" Last edited by macktheknife : Feb 8, 2003 at 08:15 PM.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:13 PM	#7
The Wingnut macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada	This is really sad. It's unfortunate that this person lost his job as a result of the actions of some members of the Mac rumor community. One would hope that this never happens again in the future. IMHO the folks at PBZone should be ashamed of themselves. My profound sympathy goes out to the person who suffered from this event. __________________ Hello, Justice Department? Yes. I'd like to report a subversive penguin. Yes, I'll hold.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:22 PM	#8
macktheknife macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002	Anyone own a Mac store in NC? I sent the kid an e-mail with my condolences. Is there anyone who owns a Mac store in North Carolina or know of anyone who owns one? The guy sounds like he really loves Mac, and it would be a great shame to lose such a salesman. __________________ "We are repeatedly what we do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." -- Aristotle "Far too many Mac users walk about in a daze convinced that Steve Jobs is their friend." -- "Matsu"

Feb 8, 2003, 08:27 PM	#9
jaykk macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chandler, AZ	i saw the screenshots I saw the screenshorts, its of apple's internal applications. They have a nice VNC client. So sad to hear the news that he was terminated. I wish him good luck.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:01 PM	#2
Hemingray macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ha ha haaa!	That..... really.... sucks. I feel for that guy.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:07 PM	#4
michaelyoung macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2002	Im not totally clear on what the shots were of. Did anyone get that? What was it that was seen?

Feb 8, 2003, 08:09 PM	#5
rubikcube macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2002	That really sucks. However, being a computer science person, he really should have known better.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:29 PM	#10
voicegy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sandy Eggo - MacRumors Member since 1-1-2002	Thus speaks the power of the Non Disclosure Agreement. It's a tough break, but Adam is young and seems pretty together...he'll pull through it, and I wish him well. Very interesting post. It can be a tangled Web out there....

Feb 8, 2003, 08:32 PM	#11
Niknar macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Scotland	I totally feel for this guy. I hope someone at Apple relises this was on big mistake. He dose sound like he has good potential. Also wtf were the people that posted his name and position in Apple thinking!?! anyone with one brain cell could have figured out he would get fired for this. This shows that rumors can go to far. I hope we all learn from this.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:36 PM	#13
MacAztec Banned Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Palm Desert, CA	Well I think that is sad. But I dont understand what the screenshots were of? How come we never saw em?

Feb 8, 2003, 08:41 PM	#14
Chaszmyr macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boulder, CO	I would be absolutely devestated if I were him...

Feb 8, 2003, 08:42 PM	#15
BigCanoe macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2003	Wow That's my local Apple store, the people there are so nice

Feb 8, 2003, 08:51 PM	#17
sedarby macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Dallas, TX	Journalists. Worse than politicians. They'll do anything, and I mean anything to one up the other sites. More incidences like this and you'll be able to here all the reliable sources drying up.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:55 PM	#18
Niknar macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Scotland	I emailed PBzone over this saying they should atleast give the guy a public apology and told them they were well out of line on posting the guys private information. f***ing idiots.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:55 PM	#19
Sun Baked macrumors 603 Join Date: May 2002	The community is hungry for information, if you posts links to your website -- people are going to look around. If you leave any hole open with info that can violate your NDA, that's a huge brain fart. The info is going to be spread as quickly as it is found. And he admits he handed people the link to his website. While you can feel sorry for him for a momentary lapse of brain function, he'll be lucky if Apple just decides to leave it at termination of employment. Apple is taking a bit stronger stance against people violating the NDA. __________________ May you be plagued by images of Richard Simmons flouncing through you brain, and squat thrusting his way though all waking thoughts.

Feb 8, 2003, 08:57 PM	#20
Mr. Anderson Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Back in VA	You're all feeling sorry for his stupidity? I don't think anyone is to blame but him. If you go to his site most stuff is open and available, directory listing, etc. It was just a matter of time before someone found something. That and the fact that he actually went and posted something to slashdot? Well, he's young and not even out of college yet, so he's got plenty of time to reverse any possible issues that might come about, except ever working at Apple again. They did seem to take a bit of hard line though, which is the only unfortunate thing. And getting a call by 'some guy at Apple' telling you you're terminated is pretty lame. It should have come from his boss. Silliness, all of it. Anyone know if anything shown was even that important? D __________________ "Klaatu varada nikto!"

Feb 8, 2003, 09:01 PM	#21
mozez macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2001	as much as i feel sorry for him, he took the screenshots, which i have to wonder why, if only for personal reasons, why do you need them, and second, taking those screenshots home is illegal, he did it to himself. maybe he didn't want to get fired, but if somebody leaked my stuff, i'd fire their ass. he's more upset he got caught, not upset about what he did. his mistake was taking the screenshots, not putting them on the web, that was an added mistake that made his mistake public. yes, that website went way too far with info, but any leak of apple stuff, or any companies stuff can have a dramatic effect on stock, compitition, and alot more. a job at an apple store is fun and neat, but not a career, so i think he should feel lucky he's not being sued by apple and possible jail time, but rather just being let go, believe it or not, but he is lucky to just be let of the hook. he'll be fine in the end all of things. still, a sad day for rumors.

Feb 8, 2003, 09:06 PM	#23
macktheknife macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002	I think most people will agree that the kid was negligent--he should not have left the photos on his website and he probably should not have taken them in the first place. However, I still think that pbzone was plain irresponsible--they should have exercised some care and thought before blabbing to the world the kid's personal info. __________________ "We are repeatedly what we do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." -- Aristotle "Far too many Mac users walk about in a daze convinced that Steve Jobs is their friend." -- "Matsu"

Feb 8, 2003, 09:08 PM	#25
Dont Hurt Me macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Yahooville S.C.	I feel for him to but on the otherhand he should not have been posting anything period .Having worked in the medical field its like patient confidentiality. He should not have been posting this stuff. I know he didnt realize but i also see he was very young and therefore naive to some extent. I guess apple has their employees sign some type of form not to divulge this and that and it turns out he did just that.I also bet his boss caught hell for this also. Last edited by Dont Hurt Me : Feb 8, 2003 at 09:15 PM.

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