Apple Settles Trade Secret Lawsuit with Former Engineer Di Liu

Apple has reached a settlement with a former engineer, Di Liu, who was accused of stealing thousands of documents containing trade secrets before departing the company to join Snap. The lawsuit, initially filed in June 2025, alleged that Liu misappropriated confidential information related to Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Background of the Lawsuit

Apple filed the lawsuit in the Santa Clara County Superior Court, claiming that Liu downloaded a “massive volume” of sensitive data in the days leading up to his departure. The company asserted that Liu intentionally misled Apple about his reasons for leaving, stating he wanted to spend more time with family and address health concerns, while simultaneously negotiating a position with Snap Inc., a competitor in the augmented reality (AR) space. Fortune and 9to5Mac reported on the initial filing.

According to Apple, Liu’s access to proprietary information should have been revoked immediately had he disclosed his intention to work for a competitor. Instead, he was allowed to continue working for two weeks, during which time he allegedly copied confidential files – including design schematics, research and development records, and supply chain data – to his personal iCloud account. CNBC detailed these allegations.

Liu’s Role at Apple and Snap

Liu worked at Apple from September 2017 through November 2024, focusing on hardware and design engineering for the Apple Vision Pro. After leaving Apple, he joined Snap, where he led optical engine, camera, and sensor integrations for seven months before departing the same month Apple filed its lawsuit. 9to5Mac provided details on his employment history.

Settlement and Apology

The case was dismissed following a settlement agreement. According to court filings, Liu agreed to return all Apple confidential information in his possession and craft a monetary payment to Apple as damages. 9to5Mac reported on the settlement terms.

Liu likewise issued a public apology on LinkedIn, stating he “dumbly” downloaded confidential information and expressing sincere regret for his actions and the burden caused to others. He affirmed his respect for Apple and his former colleagues. 9to5Mac included a link to Liu’s LinkedIn post.

Apple’s Stance on Trade Secret Protection

This case underscores Apple’s aggressive approach to protecting its trade secrets. The company has previously pursued legal action against other former employees suspected of misappropriating confidential information, including those involved in materials engineering, chip development, and the Apple Car project. 9to5Mac highlighted Apple’s history of legal action in similar cases.