Apple Sues Former Employee For Leaking Sensitive Information Related To Journal App, Vision Pro, More To Journalists

Apple has initiated legal action against its ex-employee, who disclosed confidential information to the media and other tech companies. The company is pursuing the employee for multiple offenses and seeking compensation of at least $25,000. Andrew Aude, the former employee, breached Apple’s confidentiality agreement and violated labor laws, both of which were explicitly agreed upon by him.

Apple takes legal action against ex-employee for disclosing confidential information to the press

The employee became a part of Apple in 2016 as an iOS software engineer responsible for improving battery performance. This role gave him access to a wide range of information pertaining to both the software and hardware aspects. Despite his focus on iOS and the iPhone, he also had access to details about the newly unveiled Vision Pro. In the lawsuit filed against Andrew by Apple, it was alleged that he used the company’s iPhone to leak confidential information about upcoming products and services, such as policies, the Journal app, Vision Pro, and other developmental policies.

According to Apple, Andrew disclosed numerous details about the not-yet-released Journal app to a journalist at The Wall Street Journal during a phone conversation. Shortly after, the publication published an article about the upcoming app and its features. Andrew exchanged “over 1,400″messages with the journalist, who is known as “Homeboy,”and also sent “over 10,000″messages to another journalist from The Information.

As another example, an October 2020 screenshot on Mr. Aude’s Apple-issued work iPhone shows that he disclosed Apple’s development of products within the spatial computing space to a non-Apple employee. Mr. Aude made this disclosure even though Apple’s development efforts were confidential and not known to the public. Over the following months, Mr. Aude disclosed additional Apple confidential information—including information concerning unannounced products, and hardware information.

According to Apple, Andrew intentionally shared the information with media outlets and journalists. As previously stated, Andrew confessed to transferring the information in order to sabotage the features and products, which presented a problem for him. The company argues that this premature disclosure of the features and products removed the element of surprise and delight from them.

The company discovered the leaks by the end of 2023 when Andrew was terminated from his position at Apple for his actions. In a November 2023 interview, Andrew denied leaking any confidential information. Apple alleges that during the interview, Andrew excused himself to the bathroom in order to delete incriminating evidence, including messages exchanged with journalists through the Signal app. However, in December, he did confess to some of the accusations made against him. Despite Apple’s efforts to handle the matter privately, Andrew refused to cooperate and the situation could not be resolved without involving the court.

Apple does not bring suit against its former employees lightly. As a result of Mr. Aude’s willful destruction of evidence, however, Apple cannot know the universe of what he disclosed to whom and when. Before filing this lawsuit, Apple reached out to Mr. Aude to potentially resolve this matter. Over a month ago, Apple contacted Mr. Aude to understand the full scope of his leaks and ask for his full cooperation in resolving this matter without litigation. Mr. Aude, however, did not commit to cooperating.

Apple considers Andrew to be a continued threat due to unknown disclosure of information to the media and journalists. The company is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from him. You can view the complete PDF document