Apple’s use of iCloud for internal file sharing reportedly allowed some former employees to retain access to confidential company documents even after leaving the company.
According to a report from The Information, several former Apple employees said documents shared with them during their time at Apple continued syncing to their personal Apple Accounts after their employment ended. In some cases, they reportedly continued receiving notifications when those files were updated, including documents related to future product launches and internal planning.
The report highlights a potential weakness in how Apple manages shared iCloud files when employees use their personal Apple Accounts alongside work accounts.
Why Former Employees Still Had Access
Apple reportedly gives employees a 2TB iCloud storage plan and allows them to either create a separate work Apple Account or merge that storage with their existing personal account. Since only one primary Apple Account can be signed into an iPhone at a time, many employees reportedly choose to use their personal account for convenience instead of carrying separate devices.
While Apple removes access to managed workplace folders when an employee leaves, the report says not every internal document is stored inside those protected folders. Files shared directly through iCloud or Messages can remain linked to a personal account, allowing former employees to keep copies or continue receiving updates after their employment ends.
Several former employees told the publication they intentionally avoided deleting the documents because they feared doing so might trigger an alert or create legal issues. Others said they continued receiving notifications whenever collaborators edited shared files, despite no longer working at Apple.
Apple told The Information that the issue is unrelated to its ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI over allegations that former Apple engineer Chang Liu improperly obtained confidential company information before joining the AI company.
The company said it does not sue former employees who accidentally retain documents because of how iCloud sharing works. Instead, Apple said the OpenAI lawsuit concerns the alleged intentional theft of unreleased technologies, products, and internal processes.
The report also notes that this is not the first time Apple’s handling of employee files has been questioned. Previous legal disputes involving Rivos and former Vision Pro engineer Di Liu have all touched on the handling of company documents after employees left the company.
However, The Information says there is no indication Apple intentionally leaves documents accessible after employment ends. Instead, the issue appears to stem from the way iCloud sharing works when personal Apple Accounts are used for work-related collaboration and not every file is stored inside Apple’s managed enterprise folders.
Apple has not announced any changes to its iCloud sharing policies following the report.
