Anti-leak email: US labor market regulator withdraws allegations against Apple
In a letter from 2021, Apple CEO Tim Cook threatened leakers with consequences. After five years, NLRB proceedings have now been discontinued as a result.
Apple boss Cook.
(Image: Apple / Screenshot YouTube)
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal authority responsible for balancing the interests of companies and employees in the USA, has withdrawn proceedings against Apple and its CEO Tim Cook. The case concerned whether an email sent by the CEO to the entire workforce in September 2021 could have impaired employee rights. The letter was about the many leaks about Apple products. Among other things, he wrote that people who have passed on information from a secret meeting to third parties are not part of Apple. "People who leak confidential information are not part of us here."
"Many" allegations withdrawn
In 2023, the NLRB initially ruled that the email was unlawful – and Apple's policies and procedures for handling classified information. Apple's rules for handling information leaks interfered with, restricted or coerced employees in exercising their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. The same applies to statements made by "high-ranking executives", by which the Cook email was meant.
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Apple then had to reach an agreement with the NLRB, which only has limited sanction options. However, Apple decided to appeal the decision. This has now been successful – after three years. According to a letter obtained by financial news agency Bloomberg, the NLRB is withdrawing "many" of its allegations against Apple. Cook did not violate any employee rights with his email. Other allegations that the NLRB withdrew concerned alleged surveillance of employees and the dismissal of an employee who was part of the so-called #AppleToo campaign against racism and sexism.
Changes at the top of the NLRB
The NLRB had been headed by Jennifer Abruzzo under US President Joe Biden, who had expanded the agency's measures. She was replaced by a new head in January by the new US President Donald Trump, who has already cancelled various proceedings. However, some older proceedings are still being pursued.
Interestingly, Cook's email – which of course also became public – was not about leaked meetings about Apple products, but about issues relating to pay equity, home office use, and COVID vaccination.
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