Apple Claims Former Engineer Stole Vision Pro Secrets and Concealed Job Offer from Snap Inc. by Erasing Work Laptop Data

Apple’s Vision Pro has set a high standard in the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) landscape, captivating users with its exceptional immersive experience. Despite numerous attempts by competitors to emulate its distinctive features and design, the Vision Pro headset remains unrivaled. As competition heats up in this rapidly evolving industry, the protection of intellectual property is becoming increasingly crucial. Recently, Apple initiated legal action against a former employee accused of confidential data theft concerning the Vision Pro, which was allegedly handed over to Snap, where the individual is now employed.

Allegations of Intellectual Property Theft Against Former Engineer

The Vision Pro headset has garnered significant attention, not just thanks to its premium aesthetics but also its innovative spatial computing capabilities and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. This integration enhances user experience by facilitating effortless file sharing across devices. However, a new controversy looms as Apple has filed a lawsuit against Di Liu, a former senior product design engineer, accusing him of misappropriating sensitive information related to the Vision Pro. The lawsuit, which was filed on June 24, 2025, in Santa Clara County, alleges that Liu engaged in intellectual property violations.

According to the legal documentation obtained from SiliconValley.com, Liu worked at Apple for seven years and had substantial access to technologies utilized in the Vision Pro and other forthcoming products. It was revealed that Liu allegedly transferred confidential materials to a personal cloud storage account shortly before departing the company.

The lawsuit further asserts that Liu failed to disclose his acceptance of a position at Snap Inc., a rival in the AR space, claiming instead that his departure was due to personal reasons related to family commitments. This obfuscation was reportedly aimed at circumventing the standard offboarding protocols that typically include revocation of access to internal systems.

Apple contends that Liu accessed and copied a significant quantity of sensitive information from a company-issued MacBook, including details about the design and hardware testing of the Vision Pro, along with information about features that had yet to be released. Forensic analysis of Liu’s devices revealed evidence of this misconduct, further compounded by his subsequent deletion of files from his laptop to obscure the data transfer.

In response to these serious allegations, Apple is demanding the immediate return of the stolen trade secrets as well as unspecified monetary damages. The company is also urging the court to compel Liu to surrender his personal devices and cloud accounts to gain a clearer picture of the extent of the data theft. Although information regarding Liu’s defense remains sparse, Snap has swiftly stated that they are not connected to Liu’s alleged actions. This incident is not an isolated one, as Apple has previously pursued legal action against former employees who compromised confidential information, underscoring the company’s commitment to safeguarding its proprietary assets.

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