The Information reports that more than a half-dozen former Apple employees said they retained access to sensitive company files after leaving the company. These files included important internal documents, such as planning materials for upcoming product launches. Some of these files continued to sync to their personal devices through iCloud. In a few instances, the ex-employees even received notifications whenever these documents were updated, which made them feel uneasy about simply deleting the files. They worried that erasing the data could draw unwanted attention from Apple.
This problem began with Apple's policy of offering employees a 2TB iCloud storage plan. The company encourages staff to merge this work iCloud account with their personal Apple Account. As a result, work-related content often ends up mixed in with personal files. Former employees described how this made it possible for them to unintentionally retain access to confidential data. They admitted to being unsure whether it was safe to remove these documents from their accounts.
Inconvenient storage habits
Apple has a managed folder designed to hold work-related files. This folder is supposed to automatically revoke access when an employee leaves the company. However, not all internal documents are stored there by default. This means some shared files remain in the personal iCloud accounts of employees. Ex-workers also reported that files and messages from Apple’s Messages app were not entirely removed after they left, causing confusion about how to distinguish between personal and company data.
A recent example of this issue emerged in a 2025 case. Apple accused former Vision Pro engineer Di Liu of copying thousands of company documents into his personal cloud storage just before leaving to work at Snap. While Apple stated that its lawsuit against OpenAI did not involve iCloud files, the broader case still sparked discussions about the company's iCloud policies. Apple clarified to The Information that it does not pursue legal action against former employees who accidentally keep iCloud-stored documents.
Lawsuits and lingering files
This iCloud issue has played a role in several of Apple's legal disputes. In one case, chipmaker Rivos claimed Apple deliberately allowed employees to keep company files to set up a legal strategy to sue those workers and their new employers over
Lawsuits and lingering files
This iCloud issue has played a role in several of Apple's legal disputes. In one case, chipmaker Rivos claimed Apple deliberately allowed employees to keep company files to set up a legal strategy to sue those workers and their new employers over
A system that leaks
The main issue is not just with iCloud access, but also how Apple handles the transition of employee data. Former workers admitted they were afraid to delete files they weren't sure were safe to erase. Additionally, the process of cleaning out iCloud is often incomplete or unclear. This raises concerns about the company's ability to ensure the complete removal of sensitive data from personal devices after an employee leaves.