 "Apple illegally spied on employees, silenced discussions on pay and work conditions, alleges new lawsuit")
It seems that Apple truly values your privacy — as long as you’re not employed by them. Apple has landed in legal hot water, facing allegations that it unlawfully spied on its employees and stifled discussions about pay and workplace conditions.
The lawsuit, filed in California by Amar Bhakta, an Apple employee since 2020, accuses the tech giant of monitoring personal devices and iCloud accounts while enforcing strict confidentiality policies that curb open conversations among workers.
Bhakta claims that Apple mandates its employees to install software on their personal devices used for work, granting the company access to sensitive data such as emails, photo libraries, health records, and smart home information.
At the same time, Apple allegedly restricts employees from discussing workplace matters publicly or engaging in legally protected whistleblowing activities. The lawsuit states that such policies discourage workers from speaking out about issues, limit job market mobility, and infringe upon free speech rights.
Silencing voices and controlling discussions around pay and work conditions
The complaint also outlines instances where Apple allegedly curtailed Bhakta’s freedom to discuss his experiences. He claims he was forbidden from speaking about his work on podcasts and instructed to remove LinkedIn content related to his job. Bhakta argues these practices create a chilling effect, discouraging whistleblowing and open dialogue about workplace grievances.
Apple has rejected the claims, stating that the lawsuit lacks merit. A spokesperson emphasised that the company trains employees annually on their rights to discuss working conditions. Apple framed its workplace policies as necessary to safeguard the innovations its teams create for customers.
Allegations of workplace inequality
This lawsuit isn’t Apple’s first brush with employee-related controversies. Bhakta’s lawyers also represent two women who, earlier this year, accused the company of systematically underpaying female workers in its engineering, marketing, and AppleCare teams.
Meanwhile, the US labour board has filed three complaints against Apple, alleging the company illegally discouraged employees from discussing issues such as pay disparities and discrimination, including through restrictions on social media and workplace communication tools like Slack. Apple has denied any wrongdoing in these cases as well.
Legal fight with broader implications
The latest lawsuit leverages a unique California law that enables employees to sue their employers on behalf of the state, sharing a portion of any financial penalties.
As the case unfolds, it adds to growing scrutiny of Apple’s workplace policies, putting the company under the spotlight for its treatment of employees alongside its focus on creating world-class products.
Whether these claims hold up in court remains to be seen, but they cast a shadow on Apple’s efforts to position itself as a leader in corporate inclusivity and fairness.
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