Apple faces lawsuit over alleged employee surveillance, speech restrictions

• Apple is accused of requiring employees to install software on personal devices, granting the company access to sensitive personal data, including emails and health records
• Plaintiff Amar Bhakta alleges he was barred from discussing his work on podcasts and instructed to remove job-related details from his LinkedIn profile
• The company denies the allegations, stating the claims lack merit and emphasising its annual training programs on employee rights to discuss workplace issues

According to a new lawsuit filed in California state court, Apple Inc. has been accused of unlawfully monitoring employees' devices and restricting their ability to discuss pay and workplace conditions.

The plaintiff, Amar Bhakta, who works in digital advertising at Apple, claims the company mandates the installation of software on personal devices used for work. This software allegedly grants Apple access to sensitive personal data, including emails, photo libraries, health records, and "smart home" information. 

Bhakta also alleges that Apple's confidentiality policies prevent employees from engaging in legally protected whistleblowing and discussing workplace conditions with colleagues or the media.

Bhakta, an Apple employee since 2020, asserts that he was prohibited from discussing his job on podcasts and was told to remove details about his work environment from his LinkedIn profile.

“Apple's surveillance policies and practices unlawfully restrain whistleblowing, competition, employee mobility in the job market, and freedom of speech,” the lawsuit claims.

In response, Apple stated that the allegations are baseless. A company spokesperson said, “At Apple, we're focused on creating the best products and services in the world, and we work to protect the inventions our teams create for customers. Our employees are trained annually on their rights to discuss working conditions.”

This is not Apple's first legal challenge concerning its workplace practices. Bhakta’s lawyers also represent two women who filed a lawsuit in June, accusing Apple of systematically underpaying female employees in its engineering, marketing, and AppleCare divisions. Apple has maintained its commitment to inclusion and pay equity.

Additionally, Apple is contending with at least three complaints filed with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board. These complaints allege that the company has unlawfully discouraged employees from discussing issues like pay discrimination and sex bias, particularly through restrictions on social media and the workplace messaging app Slack. Apple has denied these allegations as well.

The new lawsuit was filed under California’s Private Attorneys General Act. This unique state law allows employees to sue on behalf of the state and retain 35% of any penalties collected.

Apple to launch AI-powered, wall-mounted tablet for smart home control

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Apple plans to launch an AI-powered tablet for smart home devices, codenamed Project J490, by March 2025. 

The upcoming product is expected to serve as a central control hub for smart home devices, marking Apple’s significant push into a market dominated by Amazon and Google.