Apple sues former engineer over alleged Vision Pro secrets leak to Snap

Apple has launched a legal battle against one of its former engineers, accusing him of misappropriating confidential augmented reality technology tied to its Vision Pro headset and taking it with him to a new job at Snap. The lawsuit, filed in California, targets Di Liu — a design engineer who, Apple claims, quietly copied sensitive files before his departure.

The dispute is part of a growing pattern of legal action Apple has taken in recent years to shield its internal innovation pipeline. This time, the concern centers around advanced AR technologies, some of which Apple says haven’t even been publicly announced.

Liu reportedly told Apple that he was leaving the company to spend time with his family, omitting any mention of his upcoming role at Snap — the parent company of Snapchat and creator of Spectacles smart glasses. Had he disclosed his new employer, Apple says his access to internal tools and documentation would have been immediately revoked. Instead, during his final weeks at Apple, Liu allegedly uploaded a substantial amount of proprietary data to personal cloud storage.

Apple believes Liu deleted several files in an attempt to cover his tracks, but the company says it still uncovered digital evidence showing unusual file activity and retention of protected documents. Apple argues that these materials closely align with Snap’s ongoing work in AR wearables, raising red flags about potential misuse.

Despite the accusations, Snap is not named in the lawsuit and has denied any connection between Liu’s current role and the confidential data in question. A Snap representative stated that the company has reviewed the allegations and found no indication of wrongdoing tied to Liu’s employment.

The case underscores how competitive — and legally sensitive — the race to dominate spatial computing has become. With Apple betting big on Vision Pro and future mixed-reality products, the company appears more willing than ever to take former employees to court to defend its technological edge.

This isn't the first time Apple has taken such steps. Over the past three years, it has pursued multiple lawsuits related to employee misconduct, including disputes involving secretive car projects and unauthorized leaks to the media. In one notable case, Apple reached a settlement in 2024 with Rivos, a startup it accused of luring away staff and obtaining confidential chip design documents.

The lawsuit against Liu doesn’t just demand the return of sensitive materials — it also seeks monetary damages. Still, with digital files potentially already viewed or shared, the effectiveness of any legal remedy remains uncertain.

What is clear is that Apple sees threats to its AR research as existential. As the company continues to develop next-generation wearables, it's sending a strong message: walk away with secrets, and you may be walking straight into a courtroom.