Apple Inc. has pursued legal measures against Andrew Aude, a former iOS software engineer, accusing him of disseminating proprietary information about the company’s upcoming Journal app prior to its announcement. The legal action, lodged in Santa Clara’s Superior Court of California on March 18, details Apple's grievances against Aude for his purported distribution of confidential details pertaining to Apple's products, operational practices, and internal policies to media representatives.
According to the lawsuit, Aude breached an intellectual property agreement (IPA) that strictly prohibited him from sharing any confidential information with individuals outside of Apple. The document alleges that Aude, over a span of five years, leaked sensitive data about Apple's business operations, policies, and upcoming products to tech company employees and journalists from national publications. Among the leaks was a detailed list of features for the Journal app that Aude shared with the Wall Street Journal during an April 2023 phone conversation.
The court filing, first brought to light by MacRumors, claims Aude communicated over 1,400 messages via Signal to a journalist, identified only as "Homeboy," and sent more than 10,000 text messages to a reporter at The Information. It also mentions Aude's face-to-face meeting with a journalist, which spanned continents.
Moreover, the suit points to a leak about the Apple Vision Pro dating back to October 2020, highlighting a specific instance where Aude disclosed details about Apple’s spatial computing product to an external party.
Apple asserts that Aude's unauthorized disclosures were deliberate, with some intended to sabotage products and features he disagreed with. The filing narrates an episode where, following a leak, Aude expressed eagerness for the ensuing chaos before Apple's corporate team was aware.
The tech giant uncovered Aude's extensive leaking activities in fall 2023, leading to his admission of guilt during a November 7 interrogation. The lawsuit recounts how Aude, after denying any wrongdoing and claiming absence of his company-issued iPhone, excused himself to ostensibly delete evidence from his device, including the Signal application.
Despite a subsequent interview where Aude made limited admissions, Apple terminated his employment due to his misconduct. Emphasizing the severity of Aude’s actions, Apple points out his lack of remorse and the potential for continued leaks as motivations behind the lawsuit, which seeks to prevent any further breaches of contract by Aude.
The allegations against Aude include violating the IPA, breaching his duty of loyalty, and breaking the terms of a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, with Apple requesting a jury trial to resolve the matter.
