My understanding is that for websites that live on leaking things from manufacturers, the person who leaks gets some of the revenue. I wouldn't be surprised they get people hired to get access to the information.

Doubt it's a good way to run a profitable enterprise - but I'm sure some people do

My understanding that the more well known sites (such as Cult of Mac, Mac Rumors, 9to5Mac etc) avoid paying for leaks because it creates poor incentives and legal issues.

I don’t know about that. It’s usually just reporters reaching out asking you to dish in violation of your NDA for nothing in return. When I left Apple TDG, I was contacted by two reporters from well known publications on LinkedIn. I completely ignored both. Quite frankly it’s pretty upsetting that they’re so eager to put people in legal and financial jeopardy to write their stupid columns.

Wow! I was going from their comments on the leaker being fired after this leak being done - I imagine the site has a roster or something? Or a bounty program kind of thing?

Edit: hadn't read the full thing - it's just a guy that shared stuff her sister said to him for internet points - what a loser

> I completely ignored both.

That's very wise.

Here's an illustrative tale, although I'm omitting details that could identify myself or the companies involved.

Many years ago when I was still pretty wet behind the ears, I had just completed the sale of my company to another. This was fairly big news at the time, and my phone was ringing off the hook with reporters wanting more details. The details -- especially the sale price -- were confidential, and I was contractually prohibited from discussing them.

One particularly devious reporter managed to get me involved in a "friendly" conversation talking generally (and safely) about the the two companies, then when my guard was down, asked me a question that wasn't directly about the sale price -- but my answer did tell him the general magnitude of it, which he reported.

It was a huge hairy problem that took weeks to smooth over. It nearly made the deal fall through. I learned to never talk to reporters. Some of them are very, very good at their job.

Yeah these guys are total slime balls. Once they get what they want, their lack of concern for their sources is appalling. Breaking the news to drive eyeballs on their reporting is their 100% priority.

> for websites that live on leaking things from manufacturers, the person who leaks gets some of the revenue

I have a hard time believing that's common, if for no other reason than because it would open those websites up to legal liability.

"The Psychology of Espionage and Leaking in the Digital Age"

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intellig...

Darn: link comes up blank on Mobile Safari (iPadOS 16.4.1 (a)) in New Zealand.

Same here in Serbia, I'm guessing this document is being geo restricted via IP.

Same for the Netherlands

Actually, same for me in California, USA! If I click the google result, it opens properly. If I click the direct link, it doesn't.

Archived version: https://web.archive.org/web/20200716101239/https://www.cia.g...

It's just gossip. Same impetus exactly: "I know something special and want to share it" is a basic human motivation. It's only in places like this where shy introverts are the norm that anyone would even ask that question.

I'm reminded of another recent incident where Dan Allen, a gaming YouTuber, used the handle TheRealInsider to leak secrets (against NDA). As far as I know he got nothing from it except a bit of minor fame while the persona was active, and wide ridicule when he was found out -- how that's worth enough to risk your reputation and livelihood I can't imagine.

Depends on the leak. Some leaks are for the good of mankind, others are just for some internet points. Seldom do they generate a profit unless the leaker is leveraged or in cahoots with someone who is.