Apple Files Lawsuit Against Ex-Vision Pro Employee for Allegedly Stealing Thousands of Documents Before Joining Snap

Apple has filed a lawsuit against former engineer Di Liu, accusing him of stealing trade secrets related to the Vision Pro headset before taking a position at Snap, a competitor known for its smart glasses. The lawsuit, lodged in California last week, claims that Liu downloaded thousands of documents shortly before leaving the company in late 2022, storing them on his personal cloud accounts. This case is part of a broader trend where Apple vigorously pursues legal action against former employees who are alleged to have leaked internal information.

The company is renowned for maintaining strict control over its internal data, and instances like this underscore its commitment to preserving confidentiality, even if it means initiating legal proceedings. In the court filing dated June 24, Apple asserts that Liu failed to disclose his future employment with Snap, resulting in continued access to company files during his two-week transition period. The lawsuit indicates that Liu took advantage of this access to exfiltrate proprietary information from Apple’s secure systems.

Apple’s lawyers noted that Liu’s actions were conducted under false pretenses, with his Apple-issued laptop revealing unauthorized document downloads. The information Liu allegedly retained includes sensitive data about Apple projects, product designs, and the company’s technology infrastructure. Apple contends that Liu breached confidentiality agreements signed upon his hiring, emphasizing the legal repercussions of such actions.

Moreover, the lawsuit suggests a potential overlap between the proprietary information Liu kept and Snap’s augmented reality products, raising concerns about the possible misuse of this information in his new role. Apple is seeking damages and has requested that Liu’s devices be inspected by a forensic expert to ensure all trade secrets are purged. In recent years, Apple has become increasingly proactive in legally addressing internal data leaks, settling cases with some former employees and initiating lawsuits against others.

This trend highlights the company’s ongoing struggle to protect its intellectual property and sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure.