In a surprising turn in the world of mobile photography apps, Ben Sandofsky, co-founder of Lux Optics, the company behind the acclaimed iPhone app Halide, has filed a lawsuit against his former partner Sebastiaan de With. The suit, lodged in the California Superior Court of Santa Cruz, accuses de With of financial misconduct and stealing proprietary code before he joined Apple in late January. According to details emerging from the legal action, de With was allegedly fired from Lux Optics in December 2025 for misusing company funds, a claim that has cast a shadow over his high-profile move to the tech giant.
Halide has long been a favorite among iPhone photographers, offering professional-grade controls that set it apart from Apple's default Camera app. Launched by Lux Optics, the app built a dedicated following for features like manual focus, exposure adjustments, and raw photo processing. De With, a key figure in its development, became a public face of the company through interviews and app updates. But behind the scenes, tensions reportedly boiled over, leading to his departure under contentious circumstances.
The lawsuit paints a picture of betrayal. According to The Information, which first reported on the filing, the suit “accuses de With of improperly using more than $150,000 in Lux corporate funds to pay for personal expenses.” These alleged expenditures included items that Sandofsky's legal team claims were unrelated to business operations, though specifics beyond the total amount have not been publicly detailed in court documents available so far.
Adding fuel to the fire, the complaint further alleges that de With took Lux source code and confidential material with him when he transitioned to Apple. This accusation strikes at the heart of intellectual property concerns in Silicon Valley, where talent poaching and code theft have been flashpoints in numerous disputes. Sandofsky's filing suggests that de With's actions not only harmed Lux Optics financially but also potentially compromised the company's competitive edge in the crowded mobile app market.
De With's move to Apple was no small affair. Last summer, reports surfaced that Apple had attempted to acquire Lux Optics outright, drawn by Halide's innovative features and its integration with iOS photography tools. Those acquisition talks, which dragged on for months, ultimately fell through. Undeterred, Apple reportedly turned to hiring key talent directly, with de With emerging as the prize recruit. His January joining was celebrated in tech circles as a coup for Apple's camera software team, which has been pushing boundaries with features in iOS updates.
At the time of his hire, the narrative was one of mutual admiration. Apple, known for its enthusiasm for third-party apps that enhance its ecosystem, had praised Halide publicly in the past. De With's departure was framed as a natural progression for a talented engineer seeking bigger challenges. However, Sandofsky's lawsuit flips this script, claiming that de With was not poached but ousted due to misconduct. The timing—fired in December 2025, hired shortly after—raises questions about Apple's due diligence in onboarding the executive.
An attorney representing de With has vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement to The Verge, the lawyer said, “The attempt to insert Apple into this dispute appears designed to create leverage and attract attention.” This response suggests that de With's camp views the lawsuit as a strategic ploy by Sandofsky to pressure a settlement or draw media scrutiny to Lux Optics' ongoing operations without de With.
The broader context of this feud highlights the cutthroat nature of Apple's orbit. The company has a history of aggressively recruiting from startups that complement its products, from mapping apps to health tech. In some cases, this has led to antitrust scrutiny, with regulators questioning whether such hires stifle competition. While Apple's acquisition attempts for Lux Optics were public knowledge, the failed deal left the startup in a precarious position, especially as Halide's updates continued to roll out amid internal turmoil.
Sandofsky, who remains at the helm of Lux Optics, has not commented directly on the lawsuit beyond the filing. In past interviews, he has emphasized Halide's commitment to user privacy and open-source inspired innovations, contrasting with Apple's more closed ecosystem. The suit's mention of source code theft could imply risks to Halide's future development, as proprietary algorithms for image processing are central to its appeal.
Legal experts familiar with tech disputes note that such cases often hinge on email trails and financial records. The California Superior Court of Santa Cruz, a venue chosen likely due to Lux Optics' Bay Area ties, will now oversee discovery processes that could reveal more about the $150,000 in question. Were these funds for travel, equipment, or something more personal? The complaint doesn't specify, but the allegation alone has sparked speculation in tech forums.
De With's role at Apple remains unclear, though insiders suggest he is contributing to camera-related projects for future iPhones. Apple, true to form, has declined to comment on the litigation, stating only that it does not discuss personnel matters. This silence leaves room for interpretation: Is the company standing by its hire, or conducting an internal review?
The implications extend beyond the principals involved. For the indie app developer community, this case underscores the vulnerabilities of small teams when giants like Apple come calling. Halide's success story—bootstrapped without venture capital—could turn cautionary if the lawsuit disrupts its momentum. Users have already noticed subtle changes in recent app updates, fueling rumors of a post-de With pivot.
As the case progresses, it may draw parallels to other high-stakes tech battles, like the Uber-Waymo trade secrets trial. Sandofsky's decision to name Apple in the suit, even peripherally, could invite broader scrutiny of hiring practices in the industry. De With's attorney has hinted at counterclaims, potentially alleging defamation or breach of contract on Lux's side.
Looking ahead, the outcome could reshape Lux Optics' trajectory. With Halide downloaded millions of times and praised for democratizing pro photography on iOS, the company cannot afford prolonged distraction. Sandofsky has vowed to continue innovating, but the shadow of this dispute looms large. For de With, once a rising star, the allegations represent a personal and professional setback at a pivotal career moment.
In Santa Cruz, where the court will hear arguments, the tech world watches closely. This isn't just a spat between co-founders; it's a window into the high stakes of innovation, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of talent in Silicon Valley. As filings unfold, more details are sure to emerge, potentially altering the narrative of de With's Apple chapter and Halide's legacy.