Apple, always quick to mock its lawyers, filed a lawsuit earlier this month against the former software engineer Andrea Aude. And although the incident occurred a year ago, it was only made public this week, with the trial looming.
Former iOS software engineer faces charges to filter information reserved on the Journal application and on the Apple Vision Pro, among the most popular products.
The former Apple engineer is accused of sharing more than 1,400 Signal messages under “Homeboy”, the pseudonym with which Aude contacted a Apple journalist The Wall Street Journal.
At that time, Aude also shared more than 10,000 messages text with a reporter from The Information, even when traveling to talk in person.
In August 2021, the software engineer confirmed rumors of a quirk in the design of an unreleased Apple device, noting that it was “one of the best secret features.”
What’s unusual is that, for these leaks, he used an Apple-supplied iPhone as his work phone, also making a improper use of company devices.
Aude later referred to the information leak as a “Necessary Evil” and who eagerly anticipated the “chaos” that all this would produce.
He hoped his actions would cause a stir before “the Apple businessmen even woke up.” Apple claims that Aude was a mischievous and stubborn person.
Apple claims that all of Aude’s leaks had a purpose and that the software engineer continues to represent it a threat for the company, even if he no longer works there.
For all this, Aude is accused of violating the company’s confidentiality agreement and for this reason Apple is asking $25,000 for damages.
The situation was discovered in the fall of 2023, and Apple immediately requested a meeting with Aude to discuss the issue and find a solution.
During this meeting, with a high degree of innocence, Andrew Aude asked to go to the bathroom and during this break He tried to erase all the evidence that incriminated him. Logically, Apple had the entire log of leaks caused by its actions.
The thousand and one leak
Apple is prone to many leaks, in part because the company has many secret projects. The company has sued and jailed a former engineer for stealing Apple’s self-driving car technology. In that case, the FBI was forced to intervene to stop a man from fleeing to China with trade secrets.
The main paragraph of the complaint reads as follows:
“Apple became aware of Mr. Aude’s misconduct in the fall of 2023. When Apple met with him to discuss his improper disclosures. Mr. Aude immediately confirmed his guilt by his actions, if not by his words. At the beginning of his interview on November 7, 2023, Mr. Aude repeatedly denied having disclosed information to anyone. He also stated that he did not have his work Apple iPhone with him.
Source: Clarin
Linda Price is a tech expert at News Rebeat. With a deep understanding of the latest developments in the world of technology and a passion for innovation, Linda provides insightful and informative coverage of the cutting-edge advancements shaping our world.