Apple Employee Fired for Leaking Information

Apple Computer, which fired a programmer for leaking information, has served notice that there will be “sanctions” against any employee who breaches its security.

David Ramsey, 33, author of Apple’s MacPaint 2.0 program, said he was fired Thursday for using the CompuServe electronic bulletin board to disclose information.

Chris Escher said Monday that Apple has “a commitment to open communication and that environment is based on trust.

“All employees have sensitive material in their hands every day, and we expect them to act with good judgment regarding that information. Implicit in that environment is an agreement that there must be limits and sanctions on people who break that trust.”

Ramsey said he did not know that the information put out by CompuServe was “confidential.” He said he believed that it had already been discussed by Apple Chairman John Sculley.

Ramsey began working at Apple two years ago.