Apple reaches an agreement with the ex-employee who leaked information to the press

Apple has reached a settlement with Simon Lancaster, namely his employee who was accused of stealing secret information about the company’s products and then sharing the details with a journalist.

Apple sued the ex-employee in March 2021 after discovering he leaked sensitive company information to a tech reporter, who used the data to publish stories. Simon Lancaster worked at Apple for more than ten years, and at the time he stole information, he held a position as an advanced materials manager and product design architect.

He had access to secret information as he was responsible for evaluating materials and prototyping innovations for future devices. Apple said he used his seniority to attend internal meetings and access documents outside of his job responsibilities. He would then relay the information to the reporter and in return request that the reporter write positive stories about a start-up he had invested in.

The employee began disclosing details to his contact in late 2018. Prior to leaving Apple, he downloaded a significant number of confidential company documents that included details of non-release Apple products, including a device that ‘Apple called Project X.

This week, Apple and Simon Lancaster have accepted to settle this case without going to court. The ex-employee will pay an undisclosed sum to Apple and is prohibited from disclosing, communicating, transferring, discussing, or using any confidential information in any form without Apple’s prior written permission.