It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but if you talk about unreleased products, especially on Twitter, you are putting your own job in jeopardy. This couldn’t be more true for a Windows Phone principal program manager who tweeted about a Nokia Windows Phone who now finds himself no longer working at Microsoft.
Microsoft confirmed this morning that Joe Marini is no longer employed at Microsoft. Microsoft did not specify exactly why he was let go as it is against policy to disclose such information. It is being reported by GeekWire.com that Marini resigned after understanding that he would be fired for improper use of social media and the release of confidential information.
The unfortunate incident for Marini shows Microsoft’s commitment to improved internal security related to unreleased information. At the BUILD conference this year, one journalist was escorted out after agreeing to an embargo and then posted up videos before the agreed upon deadline. It was also rumored that several months ago that individuals related to the leaks of Windows 8 had also been terminated as well.
In the fiercely competitive mobile space, keeping your strategy and devices under cover is essential to ensuring your products are unique when they hit retail shelves. When it comes to leaks, while the community enjoys the early look at unannounced devices, the individual leaking the information is putting their job at risk.
Image Credit: GeekWire