Ex-Intel Employee Hid 18,000 Sensitive Documents Prior to Leaving the Company

According to Intel’s lawsuit filed in Washington federal court, ex-software developer Jinfeng Luo downloaded thousands of confidential files shortly after being fired, with the company stating he connected a storage device and successfully transferred approximately 18,000 files on 28 July after an initial failed attempt on 23 July.

Luo had worked at Intel since 2014 and lived in Seattle; he was notified of his pending dismissal on 7 July, with his employment set to end on 31 July, amid large-scale layoffs that affected over 15,000 employees worldwide. Intel says many of the downloaded documents carried “Top Secret” classification markings, making the removal a serious confidentiality breach and a potential violation of federal security regulations.

The company spent months trying to contact Luo, reaching out to his Seattle residence and two additional addresses before escalating the matter by filing a civil lawsuit seeking substantial damages, at least $250,000, plus attorney’s fees and an injunction to prevent further disclosure. Legal news outlets first reported on Intel’s suit earlier in the week, and the case underscores challenges in protecting intellectual property during employee departures and organisational restructuring.