Skip to main content

Foxconn workers arrested for leaking iPad 2 design

FoxconnAccording to DigiTimes, three Foxconn employees have been accused of leaking the iPad 2 design and were arrested back in late December 2010. They were officially charged with “violating the company trade secrets” on March 23.

Apparently Foxconn became suspicious when various online retailers began stocking their shelves with iPad 2 cases far before its launch. Earlier this year at CES, we heard there was an iPad 2 case floating around. There were also a slew of leaked images of other cases, as well as the device itself. prior to the tablet’s official debut. At the time, we were dubious, seeing as the rumor mill becomes flooded with an Apple product launch. But obviously many of the cases turned out to be perfectly suited for the iPad 2 and now we know why.

Recommended Videos

What’s baffling about the whole thing is that the Foxconn employees are being accused of leaking the design weeks–not months–before any announcement of the iPad 2. Why exactly Foxconn is choosing to ignore the many, many looks at iPad cases we had even before CES, we’re not sure.

This isn’t the first time Foxconn has had an issue with loose lips. The manufacturing facility first rose to notoriety back in 2009, when an employee committed suicide after losing an iPhone 4 prototype. There have also been plenty of potential insider information surfacing from China recently, including a 64 GB iPhone 4 prototype. Perhaps Foxconn is trying to make a statement to its staff with the arrests: Leak Apple product plans and pay for it.

Molly McHugh
Former Social Media/Web Editor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
Will my iPhone get iOS 26? Here’s every supported model
We've got the full list of iOS 26 supported devices - find out if you're getting the new iPhone update
iOS 26 features on a series of iPhone screens

Apple announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, and the new iPhone update comes with a fresh new 'Liquid Glass' look and plenty of features - and there are loads of iOS 26 supported devices, which is great news.

And no, you haven't missed a volley of updates since iOS 18 in 2024. Apple has skipped a bunch of numbers, so instead of giving us iOS 19 in 2025, we got iOS 26 alongside iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26. In short, Apple's brought its operating system numbering into line. Nice.

Read more
3 big iOS 19 changes that I hope Apple reveals at WWDC 2025
iOS 19 sample logo.

We’re less than two days away from Apple’s big WWDC 2025 keynote, where the company will reveal new versions of each of its software platforms. One of the biggest changes this year is the expected shift from iOS 19 to iOS 26, with new versions of macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS also set to follow suit. We're also expecting to see the evolution of Apple Health, including a new AI doctor and Health subscription.

iOS 26, if it is to be named that, is expected to introduce one of the biggest evolutions in design for Apple software since the first iPhone was launched. Inspired by visionOS and the Apple Vision Pro, it’s expected to be a monumental redesign, but I hope that Apple also takes the time to make a few improvements.

Read more
iOS 26 rumored to go back to basics with four intriguing upgrades
An iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 18, showing its home screen.

In just two days from now, Apple will take the stage at WWDC 2025 and showcase the big yearly upgrades for its entire software portfolio. I am quite excited about the platform-wide design update and a few functional changes to iPadOS, especially the one targeting a more macOS-like makeover for the iPad’s software. 

Of course, analysts will be keenly watching for Apple’s next moves with AI, but it seems some of the most dramatic features have been pushed into the next year. Apple can afford some of those delays, as long as the company serves enough meaningful updates to its user base. Apple won’t exactly be running dry on AI, though. 

Read more