Apple sues former employee for stealing Vision Pro trade secrets

Apple has initiated legal proceedings against a former engineer involved in the development of its Vision Pro headset, alleging that he unlawfully appropriated confidential trade secrets before his transition to a new position at Snap. This lawsuit, filed in California on June 24, targets Di Liu, a senior design engineer who is accused of downloading a significant number of documents during his final days at Apple last year and transferring them to personal cloud storage. The complaint illustrates Apple's commitment to safeguarding its proprietary information, a reflection of the company's notorious secrecy. Such lawsuits serve as a reminder of how Apple rigorously manages its internal data, even when it necessitates pursuing former employees through legal channels. According to the lawsuit, Liu did not disclose his impending employment at Snap, a competitor specializing in smart glasses, when he resigned from Apple late last year. Consequently, Apple did not revoke his access to critical accounts and permitted him a customary two-week notice period, which he allegedly exploited to download sensitive company files. Apple's legal team stated, "The review of Mr. Liu's Apple-issued work laptop shows that while maintaining access to Apple's Proprietary Information under false pretenses, he used his Apple credentials to exfiltrate thousands of documents containing Proprietary Information from Apple's secure file storage systems." The documents Liu reportedly downloaded contained codenames related to Apple’s projects and detailed aspects of its technology, product design, and supply chain. The lawsuit emphasizes that all employees are bound by confidentiality agreements, which Liu is accused of violating upon his exit. Liu was employed by Apple from 2017 until 2024, primarily working on the Vision Pro headset. A spokesperson from Snap declined to comment on the allegations, asserting no connection between Liu's actions and his role at the company. Apple is seeking damages and is requesting that Liu's devices undergo inspection by a forensic expert to ensure the removal of any trade secrets. This lawsuit follows a pattern, as Apple has previously taken legal action against former employees for similar transgressions. Notably, the company reached a settlement with former engineer Simon Lancaster in 2022, who provided confidential information to a journalist. Additionally, in 2024, Apple sued Andrew Aude for leaking information, although that lawsuit was dismissed after Aude issued an apology. In a broader context, Apple has also engaged in legal disputes with Rivos, a semiconductor startup staffed by ex-Apple employees, concerning intellectual property theft. Moreover, at least three former employees have faced criminal charges for allegedly transferring company secrets to organizations linked to China, with one individual pleading guilty and receiving a four-month prison sentence while the others continue to navigate legal proceedings.