A former iOS engineer, Andrew Aude, is now facing a lawsuit from Apple for allegedly leaking confidential and insider data to news agencies regarding previous upcoming releases of the company.

This included the Journal app for iPhones, spatial computing, the Vision Pro, and other information that Apple kept behind closed doors for specific reasons. 

Former iOS Engineer Faces Lawsuit from Apple for Confidential Leaks

Aude was said to be in cahoots with The Information and the Wall Street Journal with the said leaks, sharing massive information behind its closed-door developments for years using his work-issued iPhone. 

The lawsuit said that at one point, Aude had over "1,400 encrypted communications with a single WSJ journalist" in four months. 

Moreover, Aude allegedly said that another journalist at The Information received as many as 10,000 text messages, with the engineer traveling across the continent to meet with her.

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Journal App, Vision Pro Spatial Computing, and More Leaked

In one screenshot that Apple released, Aude was notified by the WSJ reporter about a story on Cupertino's Journal app being published in the early morning, with the contact named "Homeboy."

This story was released in April, months before the WWDC 2023, when it was formally introduced. 

Other of his leaks included spatial computing information directly related to Vision Pro, several Apple policies, regulatory compliance, and more.

Apple first caught and confronted Aude in the Fall of 2023, with the engineer said to have gone to the bathroom to delete evidence. Aude joined Apple in 2016 and worked on optimizing battery performance on iOS, which is why he had access to confidential and sensitive information. 

Since then, Apple has terminated Aude. 

Apple's Secretive Developments and Leaks

Apple is known for not being that fond of leaks, with the company previously cracking down against it via its anti-leak campaign, which prevents unreleased devices from being known to the public.

Also known for being secretive about its developments, the company reportedly sent a cease-and-desist order to a Chinese leaker after discovering that it was selling iPhone prototypes in 2021. 

With the company putting a lid on all of its developments, it was said to aim to reveal its new features, devices, apps, and more once they are released.

Previously, a former Apple employee, Weibao Wang, faced six counts of theft and attempted theft by Cupertino after he allegedly stole trade secrets behind the 'Project Titan,' a.k.a. the Apple Car. 

For many years, Apple has been known for facing leaks from rumors, analysts, speculations, and former employees sharing the company's developments with various news agencies.

However, in Aude's case, the former iOS engineer did so for years, using his work-issued iPhone to prominent media outlets, with evidence of his connections and accurate leaks allegedly shared by him.

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