a manager the appleOne of Silicon Valley’s most privacy-focused companies is accused by its employer of tracking employees through their personal devices.
Amar Bhakta, Apple’s digital ad technology and operations manager, He is accused in a lawsuit He filed in California state court on Sunday that the company must deny employees their right to personal privacy while working there.
Employees are required to use an Apple device, such as an iPhone, for work, but since any Apple device issued to employees by the company cannot be used for personal reasons, many choose to use a personal Apple device, the suit says. However, since these personal devices are used for work, the technology company that has made privacy an essential part of his messageIt reportedly claims broad permissions to “access, search and use all of its employees’ data” on personal devices, according to a press release.
Not only would it be impossible to carry two phones around, but even if employees chose to use a company-issued phone, Apple’s device would record employees’ location, among other personal data, the suit says.
Employees who use personal devices for work often use personal iCloud accounts because Apple allows only one iCloud account per device. Apple can then use the iCloud account to access an employee’s personal data on a personal device used for work and on any device synced to that iCloud account, including the employee’s family devices, the suit says.
Apple also requires employees to “conduct physical, video and electronic surveillance of them” and search an employee’s Apple and non-Apple devices while on “company premises,” according to an Apple policy. , can include their home offices, according to the lawsuit.
“For Apple employees, the Apple ecosystem is not a walled garden. It is the prison yard. A panopticon where employees, on and off the job, are always subject to Apple’s gaze,” says the lawsuit.
The suit also alleges that through its employee policies, Apple prevents employees from discussing “pay” and “training” in violation of California law, and prevents them from accepting speech relevant to Apple’s business without the company’s permission. Because of that policy, Bhakta refused to accept lectures about digital advertising, which hurt his job prospects, the lawsuit alleges. He also edited his own LinkedIn To remove some information about your position at Apple.
The suit also alleges that under its equity plans and agreements, Apple unlawfully claims the right to reclaim shares earned by an employee if he discloses confidential information or breaches an agreement with the company.
“It’s disappointing that Apple, whose ethos is privacy and confidentiality, is trying to monitor and censor me,” Bhakta said in a press release. “This affects the ability to progress professionally. I hope this complaint changes Apple’s approach to controlling workers outside of work and reminds workers that they too have the power to stand up.”
Apple did not immediately respond luckrequest for comment. In a document traffic lightsAn Apple spokesperson said the company disagreed with the lawsuit’s claims, adding: “Every employee has the right to discuss their pay, hours and working conditions and this is part of our business conduct policy, which all employees are trained on annually.” “
