Apple Inc. is accused of unlawfully monitoring its employees’ personal devices and imposing confidentiality policies that violate workers’ rights. The claims, brought forward by Apple employee Amar Bhakta, were filed in California state court on Sunday and add to the mounting scrutiny over the tech giant’s workspace practices.
Bhakta, a digital advertising employee at Apple since 2020, alleges that the company mandates workers to install software on personal devices used for work, reports Reuters. This software purportedly grants Apple access to sensitive personal data, including email communications, photo libraries, health information, and even data from smart home devices.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Apple enforces strict confidentiality policies, barring employees from discussing pay, working conditions, or participating in whistleblowing activities protected under labour laws. Bhakta stated that he was prevented from discussing his work on podcasts and instructed to remove details about his working conditions from his LinkedIn profile.
The lawsuit describes Apple’s practices as suppressing whistleblowing, discouraging employee mobility in the job market, and infringing upon free speech rights.
Apple dismissed all allegations, saying that they lack merit. The company emphasised its commitment to employees’ rights, citing annual training programs designed to educate workers about their ability to discuss workplace conditions.
“At Apple, we’re focused on creating the best products and services in the world, and we work to protect the inventions our teams create for customers,” the statement said.
The lawsuit is not an isolated incident. Bhakta’s legal team also represents two women who, in June, accused Apple of systematically underpaying female employees in engineering, marketing, and AppleCare divisions. Apple has denied these allegations, asserting its dedication to pay equity and inclusion.
In October 2024, reports emerged that contrary to its public image as a staunch defender of privacy, Apple has been fostering close relationships with law enforcement worldwide, hosting a private conference to discuss and train the personnel on Apple technology.
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