A secret is a secret until...
You tell someone. I suspect these folks think they've kept a "Trade Secret" which is one of several forms of protection for intellectual property.
Anyone remember the old Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet license terms? The features, software and methods of Lotus 1-2-3 were a "Trade Secret", known and licensed by millions of people. And, hopelessly, kept secret.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
