Apple sues ex-staffer for leaking Watch secrets to Oppo: Key details

Apple has filed a lawsuit against former sensor system architect Chen Shi, accusing him of stealing confidential Apple Watch health technology secrets before joining Chinese rival Oppo. According to Apple, Shi secretly held multiple one-on-one meetings with Apple’s technical team, downloaded 63 sensitive documents just days before resigning, and even searched online for ways to cover his digital tracks.

The company alleges that Shi shared the data with Oppo to help it build competing wearable devices and that Oppo was aware of and encouraged his actions. Text messages submitted as evidence suggest Shi admitted to collecting confidential information during his final weeks at Apple.

Apple highlights that Shi had deep access to next-gen health sensor roadmaps, ECG design specs, and critical development documents. Despite citing “personal reasons” in his resignation letter, Shi now leads Oppo’s sensing technology team—at the center of Apple’s legal battle.