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The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

muckrock.com

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Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#51

Post by alphamerik »

scott_s wrote: post #3

Wow, back in 1991, he was being considered for a Presidential Appointment: http://www.muckrock.com/static/foia_documents/Jobs.pdf That's what all of the documents seem to be from. To be clear, the FBI wasn't keeping tabs on Jobs because they thought he was up to no good, it was the standard background check they do when someone is being considered for a high level government position. Now the speculation starts as to…

> Wow, back in 1991, he was being considered for a Presidential Appointment [...] That's what all of the documents seem to be from

On the first page it looks like in '07 two documents were destroyed, also from '85 there is a report from a bomb threat.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#52

Post by rsmiller510 »

This is outstanding reporting requesting and staying on the request for information, and it's a fascinating look at Jobs and the government process of vetting White House appointments in 1991.

Note that they are still obsessed with the idea of anyone belonging to or contributing to the Communist Party and even checked if had relatives in foreign countries who might have been Communists (they couldn't find any).

I also particularly like the comments from people who knew him in the background check documents--not always a flattering picture, that's for sure (but we knew that).

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#54

Post by spwmoni »

mjwalshe wrote: post #38
scott_s wrote: post #3

Wow, back in 1991, he was being considered for a Presidential Appointment: http://www.muckrock.com/static/foia_documents/Jobs.pdf That's what all of the documents seem to be from. To be clear, the FBI wasn't keeping tabs on Jobs because they thought he was up to no good, it was the standard background check they do when someone is being considered for a high level government position. Now the speculation starts as to…

And why would you ever ever release information on vetting ok Steve is dead but all the people who where interviewed are not and neither are Steves family. Would you like to read a recently deceased loved ones warts and all developed vetting report - what public interest is served by this. It is also open to abuse by muck raking hacks I sure Guido Fawlks would love to see the files on Polly Toynbees (Guardian journal…

You use the phrase "muck raking" like it's a bad thing.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#55

Post by lizzard »

bluetidepro wrote: post #47

This may be a dumb question but can you request this information on anyone? Like can I request my own info? I imagine it's blank but I'm just curious how that works...

Yes, here's the FOIA FAQ for the U.S. government: http://www.foia.gov/faq.html . You need a notarized statement of your identity.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#56

Post by smountcastle »

cyrus_ wrote: post #36
tingletech wrote: post #31

I find it odd that the did not redact his social security number.

SSNs of the deceased are no longer considered private.

From: http://www.ssa.gov/history/hfaq.html

Q20: Are Social Security numbers reused after a person dies?

A: No. We do not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder's death. Even though we have issued over 453 million SSNs so far, and we assign about 5 and one-half million new numbers a year, the current numbering system will provide us with enough new numbers for several generations into the future with no changes in the numbering system.

-- One would assume that eventually all 999,999,999 numbers would be allocated and they'd have to either add a digit or start reusing them.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#57

Post by blario »

As to character, this is far more revealing than that sanctioned bio. I found the bio to be biased: the author never failed to use "genius" but as far for negative qualities, they were brushed aside.

Roughly 40 interviews in this pdf, from close associates, friends, classmates, co-workers, and industry colleagues. Not for profit; only meant to give an accurate depiction. And people seem to have been very honest also; maybe the interviewer being the FBI and probably confidentiality promised as well. I find roughly 60% of the people say he's morally and ethically questionable.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#58

Post by fiatpandas »

munin wrote: post #34

"On February 25, 1991, Security Clerk, Status and Inquiry Branch, DISCO, Columbus, Ohio, was personally contacted and she advised she located the following security clearance in their files identifiable with the appointee, STEVEN PAUL JOBS, SSAN: 549-94-3295: Top Secret clearance dated November 3, 1988, based on a Background Investigation by the Defense Investigative Service dated August 30, 1988. This clearance term…

This one's interesting. Why would he need top secret clearance during that period at Pixar?

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#59

Post by liber8 »

rsmiller510 wrote: post #52

This is outstanding reporting requesting and staying on the request for information, and it's a fascinating look at Jobs and the government process of vetting White House appointments in 1991. Note that they are still obsessed with the idea of anyone belonging to or contributing to the Communist Party and even checked if had relatives in foreign countries who might have been Communists (they couldn't find any). I als…

It seems so strange now, but remember, the Berlin wall only fell in November 1989. Even in 1991, the communist threat was still very much on people's minds.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#60

Post by quux »

fiatpandas wrote: post #58
munin wrote: post #34

"On February 25, 1991, Security Clerk, Status and Inquiry Branch, DISCO, Columbus, Ohio, was personally contacted and she advised she located the following security clearance in their files identifiable with the appointee, STEVEN PAUL JOBS, SSAN: 549-94-3295: Top Secret clearance dated November 3, 1988, based on a Background Investigation by the Defense Investigative Service dated August 30, 1988. This clearance term…

This one's interesting. Why would he need top secret clearance during that period at Pixar?

I think at this point they were selling their image processing systems to intelligence agencies like the CIA and NSA.

IIRC, the NSA bought a lot of NeXT systems, and he had to get a clearance for that too. Or maybe this was the same clearance.

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