Apple is facing the accusations of illegally examining the personal devices of its employees and ICloud accounts, in particular when they discuss the remuneration conditions and in the workplace. A new complaint, presented by Domingo Amar Bhakta in a state -owned court in California, accuses the technology giant of requesting employees to install software on personal devices used for work. This software presumably grants access to Apple to sensitive personal data, including E -mail, photographic archives, health information and even data from “smart home” devices.
Bhakta, who has been working in Apple’s digital advertising division and has been with the company since 2020, says that Apple imposes the rigid confidentiality policies that prevent employees from openly discuss their working conditions. These policies presumably include restrictions on speaking with the media and reporting of irregularities in the workplace that are legally protected.
According to the complaint, in Bhakta it was forbidden to share details on his work on podcasts and he was asked to remove information on his working conditions from his LinkedIn profile.
“Apple’s policies and surveillance practices illegally limit the informants of employees, transparency in the workplace, the mobility of the labor market and freedom of expression,” says the deposit.
Apple denies accusations
In response, Apple rejected the statements, with a spokesman who says that the accusations have no merit. The company underlined its commitment to guarantee that employees are educated on their rights, including the right to discuss the conditions in the workplace.
“In Apple, we focus on creating the best products and services of the world and working to protect the inventions that our teams created for customers,” said the company in a note.
Apple claims that its employees receive annual training on their rights and on the company’s work policies, which, support, respect the laws at work.
Wider concerns for workplace practices
The cause of Bhakta is not the first legal challenge that Apple has faced about his work policies. At the beginning of this year, two women intended a cause regarding the engineering systemic divisions, marketing and Apple applications. Apple replied reaffirming its commitment to inclusion and equality of remuneration.
In addition, the company was appointed in at least three complaints by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) of the United States. These complaints argue that Apple has discouraged employees from discussing issues in the workplace as a disparity of remuneration and sexual prejudices. The accusations include statements according to which the company has limited the use of social media and the internal messaging platforms to discuss these topics.
Apple has constantly denied any offense in these cases, stating that its policies are designed to protect its intellectual property and maintain integrity in the workplace.
An increasing reflector on technological work practices
The accusations against Apple highlight the ongoing tensions between the giants of technology and their employees for transparency in the workplace and labor rights. Being one of the largest companies in the world, the management by Apple of these accusations will probably be carefully observed, not only by its workforce but also by the regulators and the public.
For now, Apple remains firm in his defense, stating that his policies are law and his practices in the workplace are designed to support his employees by safeguarding his innovations. However, the complaint filed by Bhakta and other recent legal actions suggest that the requests of greatest transparency and equity could continue to become stronger in the technological sector.
