By Apple Vision Pro Leak: Apple Sues Former Employee Over Alleged Theft of Confidential AR Files
Apple has launched a lawsuit against a former senior engineer, Di Liu, for allegedly stealing sensitive documents tied to the Apple Vision Pro augmented reality headset. The lawsuit, filed on June 24 in Santa Clara County Superior Court, claims Liu downloaded thousands of confidential files before resigning from the tech giant and joining rival company Snap Inc., the parent of Snapchat.
This case adds to a growing list of legal actions Apple has taken in recent years to combat the misappropriation of trade secrets by former employees. At the center of the new Apple Vision Pro leak controversy is a significant volume of proprietary data Liu allegedly took with him when exiting the company.
Apple Vision Pro Leak Details: How the Data Was Allegedly Stolen
According to Apple, Di Liu was deeply involved in the development of the Vision Pro headset during his seven-year tenure at the company. In the days leading up to his departure, Liu is accused of downloading a “massive volume” of confidential information, which included unreleased product features, testing protocols, design specifications, and even supply chain strategies.
What’s more troubling, Apple claims Liu falsely stated his reason for leaving the company was to focus on his health and spend more time with family. In reality, Liu had accepted a position at Snap Inc., a direct competitor working on its own augmented reality products, including the Spectacles smart glasses.
Had Liu been transparent about his new employment, Apple maintains it would have immediately terminated his access to internal systems. Instead, he retained access during the standard two-week notice period — which he allegedly used to download and repackage sensitive data.
Forensic Investigation Reveals the Scope of the Apple Vision Pro Leak
Apple’s internal forensic analysis uncovered detailed evidence of Liu’s activities. On his company-issued laptop, investigators found that he had manually selected and renamed folders, then uploaded them to personal cloud storage accounts. Apple also alleges that Liu deleted specific files to conceal the extent of the data breach.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the stolen information directly overlaps with Liu’s new responsibilities at Snap, which involve the development of AR technology. This correlation, Apple argues, shows a clear intent to use its proprietary information for the benefit of a competing platform.
Apple Demands Legal Remedies for Apple Vision Pro Leak
Apple is seeking a court order that would force Liu to return all stolen files, surrender any devices that may still hold company data, and undergo a thorough inspection to confirm no confidential information remains. In addition to injunctive relief, Apple is also asking for financial damages related to breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.
The company is particularly concerned about the potential misuse of trade secrets that could impact the future of the Vision Pro line and its competitive edge in the AR market. Apple has positioned the Vision Pro headset as a game-changer in the augmented reality space, and any leakage of development insights could severely damage its innovation pipeline.
Snap Responds to Apple Vision Pro Leak Allegations
Snap Inc. is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. However, the company has issued a statement saying it has found “no reason to believe” that the claims against Liu relate to his current role or conduct at Snap.
Despite Snap’s public stance, the Apple Vision Pro leak has ignited concerns across the tech industry about employee movement between competing firms and the risks of intellectual property theft in high-stakes innovation races.
