Apple Faces Employee Lawsuit Over Alleged Surveillance Practices

A new lawsuit filed against Apple alleges that the tech giant engages in invasive surveillance of its employees, extending to personal iCloud accounts and non-work devices. The case, brought by advertising technology worker Amar Bhakta in California state court on Sunday, and first spotted by Semafor, claims that Apple's employment policies violate state privacy laws by merging employees’ work and personal digital lives, giving the company undue access to personal data.

The suit highlights Apple's practice of requiring employees to use Apple-made devices for work and often their personal iCloud accounts. These accounts, paired with company-installed software, allegedly allow Apple to monitor activities such as emails, photos, and real-time locations, even off the clock. While employees could ostensibly maintain separate work-only iCloud accounts, the lawsuit claims Apple discourages this practice.

Plaintiff’s allegations

Bhakta, who has worked at Apple since 2020, asserts that the company’s policies have stifled his career and violated his privacy. The lawsuit details incidents where Apple allegedly forbade him from participating in public discussions about digital advertising and even demanded the removal of job-related information from his LinkedIn profile.

The legal filing paints a stark picture of Apple’s employment policies, describing the company as operating a “panopticon” that keeps employees under constant observation, both on and off duty. “For Apple employees, the Apple ecosystem is not a walled garden. It is a prison yard,” the lawsuit states.

Bhakta is represented by Chris Baker of Baker Dolinko & Schwartz and Jahan Sagafi of Outten & Golden, both of whom are well-known for handling high-profile labor cases. Notably, Baker previously represented Susan Fowler in her groundbreaking case against Uber, which exposed workplace harassment in the tech industry.

Apple’s response

Apple has denied the allegations, stating that its business conduct policies are designed to protect employees’ rights to discuss working conditions, wages, and hours. A company spokesperson emphasized that all employees receive training on these policies annually. CyberInsider has reached out to Apple for a comment, but a statement wasn’t immediately available.

This lawsuit comes at a time when Apple is positioning itself as a leader in privacy, boasting a customer-focused ethos that limits data collection and avoids targeted advertising practices. However, the suit raises questions about whether this privacy-first approach extends to its workforce. It also places Apple’s extensive control over employee devices under scrutiny, contrasting sharply with its public image as a protector of consumer privacy.

Bhakta’s lawsuit leverages California’s Private Attorneys General Act, enabling employees to sue on behalf of the state for labor law violations. If the court finds Apple liable, the company could face significant financial penalties, with fines multiplied by the number of affected employees.