Apple sues former employee who leaked unreleased product information on suspicion of information leakage and seeks damages
In March 2024, Apple filed a lawsuit in federal court in California, alleging that former employee Andrew Ord breached the company's non-disclosure agreement by leaking confidential information to the media and other tech companies. Apple is seeking damages of $25,000 (approximately 3.78 million yen) from Mr. Ord.
Apple, Inc. v. Andrew Aude | PDF | Trade Secret | Apple Inc.
Apple Sues Former Employee for Leaking iPhone's Journal App and More - MacRumors
Ord, who joined Apple in 2016, previously worked on optimizing device battery performance and was privy to information on dozens of Apple's most sensitive projects.
Apple told the court that over a period of about five years, Ord used an Apple-issued work iPhone to use the then-unreleased Journal app, the Apple Vision Pro AR headset, and other Apple products. The company claims to have leaked information about multiple Apple products and policies, including development policies, regulatory compliance strategies, and employee numbers.
As an example of leak damage caused by Mr. Ord, Apple claims that in April 2023, Mr. Ord leaked to the American daily newspaper ``Wall Street Journal'' about the functions of the ``Journal'' app, which were unpublished at the time. As a result of the leak, the Wall Street Journal published an article about the 'Journal' app .
Ord is said to have used the encrypted messenger app Signal to send more than 1,400 messages to a journalist he calls 'Homeboy.' He also sent more than 10,000 text messages to journalists from the overseas media ``The Information'' and even went to meet them in person.
Furthermore, according to Apple, Mr. Ord used his work iPhone to disclose screenshots related to spatial computing technology used in Apple Vision Pro to non-Apple employees. Apple believes Ord's actions were ``pervasive and deliberate'' and ``sabotaged our ability to surprise and delight with our latest products,'' and at least five news articles published as a result of Ord's leaks. revealed that they had a discussion about the nature of the company's confidential and proprietary information.
According to Apple, Ord's leak was discovered in late 2023. Mr. Ord initially denied leaking confidential information, but Apple claimed that ``Mr. Ord had deleted evidence of the leak from his work iPhone, including the Signal app, in the office bathroom.'' I am. Apple subsequently fired Mr. Ord in December 2023.
Apple initially tried to resolve this issue between the parties involved, Apple and Mr. Ord, but Mr. Ord was uncooperative in this response. Apple said, ``Basically, we do not file lawsuits against former employees lightly.However, as a result of Mr. Ord intentionally destroying evidence, we are not aware of what Mr. Ord leaked, when, to whom, and what he leaked.'' Before filing this lawsuit, Apple contacted Mr. Ord and asked for his full cooperation to resolve the issue, but Mr. Ord did not commit to cooperating. 'I did.'
Mr. Ord was also noted to have refused to sell restricted Apple stock that he received as part of his compensation package upon his retirement.
In response to these circumstances, Apple said, ``Mr. Ord's intentional and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information to third parties and his attempts to cover up his misconduct pose an ongoing threat to the company.'' ” and is seeking damages and legal remedies from Mr. Ord.
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