Intel is pursuing legal action against a former software engineer who the company claims downloaded thousands of confidential files shortly after being fired in July.
The incident highlights growing concerns about data security during workforce reductions and employee departures.
The Incident
Jinfeng Luo, who worked as a software developer at Intel since 2014, lived in Seattle when the company notified him of his pending dismissal on July 7.
His employment was set to end on July 31. Intel has not publicly disclosed the reason for his termination.
However, the timing coincides with massive company-wide layoffs affecting over 15,000 employees worldwide that the semiconductor giant announced last summer as part of a cost-cutting initiative.
According to Intel’s lawsuit filed in Washington federal court, Luo attempted his first unauthorized file transfer on July 23, just weeks after receiving his termination notice.
He tried downloading files from his work laptop to an external hard drive, but Intel’s security systems blocked the attempt.
However, five days later, on July 28, Luo allegedly connected a different storage device and successfully downloaded approximately 18,000 files from Intel’s systems.
The massive file transfer immediately triggered Intel’s internal security investigation protocols.
The company claims that many of the downloaded documents carried “Top Secret” classification markings, making their unauthorized removal a serious breach of confidentiality and a potential violation of federal security regulations.
Intel spent several months attempting to contact Luo to address the matter, reaching out to his Seattle residence and two additional addresses associated with him, including one in the Portland area.
When attempts to reach the former employee proved unsuccessful, Intel escalated the situation by filing a civil lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks substantial damages from Luo, requesting at least $250,000 in monetary compensation.
Additionally, Intel is seeking recovery of attorney’s fees and has asked the court to issue an injunction preventing Luo from disclosing any confidential information he allegedly downloaded. The company aims to avoid further dissemination of the sensitive materials.
Intel declined to provide additional comment on the active litigation, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. Luo could not be located for this report.
Legal news outlets first reported on Intel’s lawsuit earlier in the week, bringing the incident to wider public attention.
The case underscores the challenges companies face in protecting intellectual property and classified information during employee transitions, particularly during large-scale workforce reductions.
It also raises questions about access controls and monitoring systems for employees receiving termination notices, as well as the protocols companies implement to prevent data theft during sensitive periods.
As the litigation develops, the case will likely serve as a cautionary example for technology companies managing security risks during organizational restructuring and employee departures.
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