Fast Facts

Years active: 1999-2008

Oldest archived post: May 4, 1999¹

Published by: Nick Ciarelli

Ciarelli posted as "Nick DePlume"

Blog frequently reported information confidential to Apple

Apple filed a lawsuit to get Ciarelli to reveal the names of his sources, but he refused

Legal battle continued for three years

Apple and Ciarelli negotiated a settlement out of court in 2007

Site shut down in 2008

Key Dates

1999: Think Secret launches

January 4, 2005: Apple files a lawsuit against Think Secret's owner²

December 20, 2007: Think Secret owner Nick Ciarelli announces that the site will be shutting down³

February 14, 2008: The website is officially terminated⁴

Think Secret

Google News: Think Secret
Think Secret Press Release: Apple, Think Secret settle lawsuit (December 20, 2007)
CNET News.com: Apple lawsuit fallout: ThinkSecret.com shutting down (December 20, 2007)
PC World: Apple, Think Secret Settlement Is a Mistake (December 20, 2007)
Los Angeles Times: Blogger and Apple settle lawsuit (December 20, 2007)
InformationWeek: Apple Silences Think Secret (December 20, 2007)

Google Blog Search: Think Secret
New York Times Blog: Who Is Really Hurt by Apple Rumor Sites Closure? (December 20, 2007)
Engadget: Apple shuts down Think Secret? (December 20, 2007)
Ars Technica: Settlement shutters ThinkSecret; EFF: it’s for the best (December 20, 2007)
TUAW: RIP Think Secret (December 20, 2007)
Machinist: Think Censor: Apple's lawyers shut down rumor site (December 20, 2007)
Boing Boing Gadgets: Apple, ThinkSecret.com Settle; Think Secret to Be Shuttered (December 20, 2007)
TechCrunch: Oh My God! Apple Killed Think Secret! Those Bastards! (December 20, 2007)
ParisLemon: Apple Kills Think Secret? (December 19, 2007)