Apple Sues Ex-Employee Over Apple Watch Trade Secret Leak to Oppo
Apple has filed a lawsuit in Northern California against Chen Shi, a former Apple Watch engineer, accusing him of stealing confidential information and sharing it with Chinese tech rival Oppo.
Who is Chen Shi?
Shi was a Sensor System Architect at Apple from January 2020 to June 2025, with access to Apple Watch design files, development documentation, product specifications, and future roadmap details.
Allegations of Misconduct
Apple claims Shi misled colleagues by saying he was returning to China to care for his parents, while secretly accepting a job at Oppo. During his final days at Apple, he allegedly:
- Downloaded 63 confidential files onto a USB drive.
- Attended dozens of private meetings with Apple Watch team members to gather R&D details.
- Searched online for ways to wipe his MacBook and avoid detection on shared drives.
- Promised Oppo executives that he would “collect as much information as possible,” specifically on heart rate sensing methods.
Oppo’s Involvement
The lawsuit also directly implicates Oppo. In one cited email exchange, Shi offered to share confidential information with Oppo’s Vice President of Health, Dr. Zi Zijing Zeng. Instead of objecting, Zeng allegedly replied with an “OK” emoji.
What Apple Wants
Apple is seeking:
- An injunction preventing Shi and Oppo from using its trade secrets.
- Restitution, damages, and punitive compensation.
- Attorneys’ fees and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.