Apple is facing a new lawsuit that claims the company is unlawfully monitoring its employees’ personal devices and iCloud accounts. The lawsuit, filed in a California state court by Amar Bhakta, who has been working in digital advertising at Apple since 2020, argues that the tech giant requires staff members to install software on their personal devices used for work. This software allegedly gives Apple access to employees’ emails, photo libraries, health data, smart home information, and other personal details.
In addition to privacy concerns, Bhakta’s complaint says Apple has strict confidentiality rules that prevent workers from discussing their pay and working conditions, even with the media. Bhakta claims he was told not to share information about his job on podcasts and was asked to take down details about his working conditions from his LinkedIn profile.
The lawsuit states, “Apple’s surveillance policies and practices discourage and unlawfully restrict employee whistleblowing, competition, movement in the job market, and freedom of speech.”
In response to the allegations, an Apple spokesperson stated that the claims lack merit and emphasized that employees are trained annually on their rights to speak about their working conditions.
This lawsuit is not Apple’s only legal challenge. Lawyers for Bhakta also represent two women who filed a separate lawsuit in June, alleging that Apple systematically underpays female employees in various departments, including engineering and marketing. Apple maintains that it is committed to fairness and pay equity.
Furthermore, the tech company is dealing with at least three other complaints filed with a US labor board, accusing it of discouraging employees from discussing issues like gender bias and pay discrimination. Apple has denied these allegations as well.
Notably, Bhakta’s lawsuit has been filed under a California law that allows workers to sue on behalf of the state and potentially keep 35% of any penalties awarded.
