Apple has filed a lawsuit against a former employee, Dr. Chen Shi, accusing him of stealing sensitive trade secrets about the Apple Watch before leaving the company to join Chinese tech giant Oppo.
According to the lawsuit, Shi downloaded 63 confidential files from a protected Apple server and transferred them to a USB drive. Apple claims the files contained roadmaps, design documents, and specifications for Apple’s health sensor technology, including its ECG system.
Accusations of Data Theft
The company says Shi attended “dozens” of meetings with Apple Watch engineers to gain insider knowledge before resigning. He allegedly messaged Oppo that he was working to “collect as much information as possible” before starting his new role.
Apple also says Shi searched suspicious queries on his work laptop before leaving, including:
- “How to wipe out MacBook”
- “Can somebody see if I’ve opened a file on a shared drive?”
Oppo’s Alleged Involvement
Apple claims Oppo not only knew about Shi’s plan but encouraged and approved it. Messages found on Shi’s Apple-issued iPhone reportedly show Oppo discussing his role and the transfer of information.
Despite stating in his resignation letter that he was leaving for “personal and family reasons,” Shi now leads Oppo’s sensor technology team.
What This Means for Apple and Oppo
This case highlights the growing tensions between U.S. and Chinese tech companies, especially in the race to develop advanced health sensors for wearable devices.
If Apple wins, it could restrict Oppo’s work in smartwatch technology and set a stronger precedent for protecting trade secrets.
Oppo has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. When contacted by The Verge, Oppo’s press email bounced back because the mailbox was full.