GeoCities was ordered to disclose the records on “worker bee”, the pseudonym used by the individual who posted photos and information about Apple’s new computer mouse and dual-processor PowerMacs prior to their unveiling at the Macworld trade show last month.
Apple is wanting the name, e-mail and street address, phone number and internet protocol address of “worker bee”.
In April this year, Yahoo! amended its privacy policy to provide information on users only if legally compelled to do so. It said it would notify members of any court orders and give them 15 days to fight any such orders before making disclosure. The change follows criticism from privacy groups of previous practices of releasing personal information in the face of a threat of legal action.
Apple believes that the trade secrets could have been leaked by one of its employees in breach of a confidentiality agreement.