Sensitive information of technological companies is leaked on the web almost every day. Many of these leaks are generated by the company itself in order to attract an audience and gain publicity. Today’s leak about Apple is definitely not a company-generated one.

A few weeks backs two developers spotted a strange anomaly on the iTunes app charts. The top 40 out of 50 apps were by the same developer: Thuat Nguyen. Investigation revealed that this developer had used a number of unethical ways of elevating those 40 apps to their position. Thuat Nguyen’s ‘innovative’ techniques to promote his apps included:

• Hacking the accounts of iTunes accountholders and getting his free apps
• Purchasing apps through hacked iTunes accounts
• Purchasing free apps that directed money from hacked iTunes accounts towards other iTunes accounts (obviously the developer’s own accounts)

These were the 3 main tactics employed by Thuat Nguyen to help his apps climb up the iTunes ranking. As other users downloaded these ‘popular’ apps, their accounts became easier to compromise.

Upon discovering this disaster, Apple was quick in shutting down Thuat Nguyen as well as all his apps. But Thuat Nguyen is only the tip of the iceberg. Apparently there are numerous developers like Thuat Nguyen on the App Store. This one got caught only because of his carelessness. Many other developers are using the same tactics to promote their apps or unethically get money from iTunes accountholders. Accountholders have only recently begun to notice the strange behavior in their iTunes balances – they have reported spent amounts between $100 and $1400.

From the unethical developers that have been caught, one trend has been noticed: all of them are based in Asia. This unfortunately gives them immunity from US laws.

If you are an iTunes accountholder, you could get in touch with Apple and hope that your missing amount can be recovered. Meanwhile you should change your account password and remove your iTunes card details from your account.

Already under the negative public relations spotlight regarding iPhone 4’s antenna-reception issue, this hacking will be a massive blow to Apple’s credibility. The company will undoubtedly try to soldier through this issue however this security breach could prove to be a fatal blow for the handheld devices giant.