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Apple is taking legal action against a former employee, Andrew Aude, who allegedly leaked the company's sensitive information to journalists and employees of rival companies.
The lawsuit, filed in California state court, accuses Aude of disclosing details about unreleased products, internal policies, and hardware specifications.
The complaint, Aude, who joined Apple in 2016 as an iOS engineer, gained access to a wealth of confidential information due to his role in optimizing battery performance.
Apple alleges that Aude misused this access, leaking details about the upcoming Journal app, the VisionOS headset project, and Apple's regulatory compliance strategies.
See the leaked chat between the Apple employer and the Journalist:
The lawsuit cites numerous instances of communication between Aude and journalists.
In one case, Apple claims Aude exchanged over 1,400 messages with a Wall Street Journal reporter using an encrypted messaging app and even read them a finalized feature list for an unannounced product over the phone.
Another journalist at The Information reportedly received over 10,000 text messages from Aude.
Apple further accuses Aude of saving screenshots of these communications on his work iPhone "for posterity."
One such screenshot, included in the lawsuit, allegedly shows Aude discussing his motivations for leaking information, stating he did so "to kill" products he disagreed with.
The leaks reportedly went undetected until late 2023. When confronted by Apple representatives, Aude is said to have denied involvement and lied about having his work phone.
Apple claims he then used a bathroom break to delete significant evidence, including the messaging app used for communication with journalists.
Following a second meeting in December 2023, where Aude reportedly admitted to leaking information, he was fired. Apple's lawsuit seeks a jury trial, compensation for damages, and the return of any bonuses or stock options awarded to Aude.
Additionally, they are requesting a court order preventing Aude from disclosing any further confidential Apple information without written consent.
This case highlights the lengths companies go to protect sensitive information and the potential consequences for employees who breach confidentiality agreements.
The outcome of the lawsuit will be closely watched by the tech industry as it sets a precedent for handling employee leaks of confidential information.
