Apple accuses ex-employee of stealing Apple Watch secrets for Oppo in shocking lawsuit

Apple Watch

Apple has accused a former employee of the Apple Watch team of stealing confidential information and handing it over to Chinese tech company Oppo, according to The Verge report. The employee, Dr Chen Shi, is now facing a lawsuit that alleges he downloaded sensitive documents and shared Apple’s proprietary technology with his new employer.

According to the lawsuit, Shi attended “dozens” of technical meetings before leaving Apple and copied 63 files from a secure folder onto a USB drive. These files reportedly contained Apple’s secret roadmaps, design documents, and specifications for health-focused features like the Apple Watch’s ECG sensor technology. Apple says Shi had “a front-row seat” to the company’s most advanced health sensor projects during his time as a sensor system architect.

What makes the case more striking are the digital trails Shi allegedly left behind. Court filings say he messaged Oppo before joining, promising to “collect as much information as possible.” He also searched online for terms like “how to wipe out MacBook” and “Can somebody see if I’ve opened a file on a shared drive?” — all from his Apple-issued computer.

Despite claiming in his resignation letter that he was leaving “for personal and family reasons,” Shi later surfaced at Oppo, heading a team working on sensor technology. Apple says it discovered this through messages stored on his company-issued iPhone, which also revealed Oppo’s role in allegedly encouraging him to gather Apple’s confidential material before quitting.

The lawsuit paints a picture of deliberate theft and corporate espionage. If true, this case could highlight the intense competition in wearable technology, where Apple has dominated with its Watch lineup and health tracking features, while rivals like Oppo are racing to catch up.

As for Oppo’s side, attempts to reach the company for comment didn’t go far.