In recent years, we have witnessed a growing trend of surveillance by various entities—ranging from individuals to state actors and organized groups—monitoring both public and private organizations. This trend has also extended to governments using technology like facial recognition to keep track of their citizens, with China being a prominent example. However, a new and potentially alarming development is making headlines: Apple Inc. is now facing accusations of spying on its employees’ personal iPhones and iCloud accounts.
According to a lawsuit filed in a California state court last Sunday by former employee Amar Bhakta, Apple has been secretly monitoring its workers, including him, since he joined the company in 2020. Bhakta, who worked in Apple’s digital advertising department until earlier this year, claims that the tech giant installed surveillance software on employees’ personal devices, including their iPhones, to monitor their private information. This included emails, photos, videos, health data, and information related to Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Bhakta further alleges that Apple had requested employees to consent to the installation of this software, which was intended to track their location and activities throughout the day. The lawsuit also emphasizes that, as part of the company’s employee guidelines, Apple required workers to adhere to strict rules about confidentiality. Specifically, employees were told not to share information about their working conditions, wages, or any practices that could be perceived as corporate misconduct, such as leaking information or transmitting it to foreign servers.
In addition to these claims, the lawsuit asserts that Apple prohibited its employees from whistleblowing about internal issues related to company practices, creating a restrictive environment.
In response, Apple has denied all allegations, rejecting the idea that it monitors employees’ personal devices for unauthorized purposes. The company clarified that any software installed on employees’ devices was done with their consent, and that the purpose was primarily for health and safety monitoring—ensuring that workers’ health is being tracked and addressing any work-related concerns before they escalate. Apple also emphasized that it has never restricted its employees’ freedom of speech, particularly concerning wage discussions.
Notably, the lawsuit is being pursued under a new California law that enables workers to sue their employers on behalf of the state government. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, they may be entitled to 35% of any penalty imposed on Apple for violations. As of now, further details on the lawsuit are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
This situation raises broader questions about the extent to which tech companies can monitor their employees and whether such practices violate privacy rights. While Apple maintains that the surveillance was for well-being and health reasons, the legal battle could have significant implications for corporate surveillance in the tech industry.
Stay tuned for more updates as this case unfolds.
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