Apple sues former engineer for Vision Pro data theft

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Apple is taking legal action against a former employee, accusing him of stealing internal data related to the Vision Pro headset and possibly sharing it with Snap. The lawsuit centers on former senior product design engineer Di Liu. According to Apple, he uploaded thousands of confidential files to his private cloud storage shortly before his termination. The case raises questions about data security, internal control mechanisms, and competition in the augmented reality space.

Apple is developing the Vision Pro, a complex augmented reality headset. The technology behind it is not only innovative but also strategically important for Apple's future. Any unauthorized leak of information could have a decisive impact on competition. It becomes particularly sensitive when such data ends up with a direct competitor. That's precisely what this case is about. The allegations are serious and concern sensitive internal information that should never have appeared outside of Apple.

The lawsuit against Di Liu

On June 24, 2025, Apple filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of Santa Clara County, California. The defendant is Di Liu, who worked at Apple for seven years and most recently as a senior product design engineer. He is accused of transferring extensive data from the development area of the Vision Pro headset to his private cloud storage during his final days at Apple. According to Apple, this includes documents relating to product design, testing procedures, supply chain strategies, and unpublished features of the Vision Pro. This information was accessed via an Apple-owned MacBook. According to the lawsuit, internal forensic investigations revealed that Liu deliberately renamed, selected, and uploaded folders. He also deleted files – apparently to conceal the data trail (via SiliconValley.com).

Camouflage for private reasons

Di Liu officially informed Apple that he was leaving the company for health reasons and to spend more time with his family. However, Apple believes that by that time, he had already accepted a job offer from Snap Inc. Snap is the parent company of Snapchat and the maker of Spectacles, a pair of smart glasses seen as a direct competitor to the Vision Pro. The lawsuit alleges that Liu intentionally concealed the fact that he was joining a competitor. This prevented Apple from activating its security protocol, which automatically blocks access to internal systems when a person joins a competitor.

No direct lawsuit against Snap – but clear hints

Snap itself is not accused in the lawsuit. However, Apple makes it clear that Liu's work at Snap closely resembles the information he previously handled at Apple. The company sees this as a clear conflict of interest. Snap told the press that it sees no connection between the lawsuit and Liu's current work.

What Apple is now demanding

Apple is seeking a court order requiring Di Liu to return all confidential data and allow his devices and accounts to be scanned for any remaining Apple information. Apple is also seeking unspecified damages for breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.

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The case is a classic example of how sensitive the handling of internal company data is—especially in an area like augmented reality, in which Apple is currently investing heavily. Even though Snap isn't directly charged, the proceedings demonstrate how fierce competition is in this technology industry. For Apple, it's not just about a few files; it's about intellectual property that could determine future market share. If you follow Apple's development or are interested in new technologies, it's worth keeping an eye on this case. It's not just a legal dispute, but also an indicator of how fierce competition in AR products has become. (Image: Apple)