An Apple employee, Amar Bhakta, has filed a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of invading employees’ privacy and engaging in harassment. The 28-page lawsuit alleges that Apple requires its staff to sign away their privacy rights, creating a surveillance-heavy environment.
The primary issue centers around Apple’s alleged practice of encouraging employees to use personal iPhones for work, linking them to the company’s services. According to Bhakta, this allows Apple access to emails, photos, videos, notes, and other personal data, making them “searchable by Apple.” Additionally, the lawsuit claims Apple tracks employee locations, even when they are outside the office.
Bhakta described the company’s ecosystem as “a prison yard,” asserting that employees are constantly monitored, both at work and beyond. The complaint also claims Apple reserves the right to conduct physical, video, and electronic surveillance, including tracking devices across company premises, with some reports suggesting this might extend to employees’ home offices.
Allegations of Harassment and Suppression
The lawsuit also includes allegations of wage issues and suppression of employee rights, adds NIX Solutions. Bhakta claims Apple prohibited him from discussing his professional experience in digital advertising and forced him to remove mentions of his Apple role from LinkedIn. The complaint also references a National Labor Relations Board accusation against Apple, which claimed the company prevented employees from discussing equal pay.
Despite these claims, Apple has categorically denied the allegations. In a statement to The Verge, company representative Josh Rosenstock called the accusations baseless.
Ongoing Developments
The case has raised concerns about privacy and employee treatment in tech companies, drawing attention to workplace practices. As more details emerge, we’ll keep you updated on any significant developments.