Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Employee Surveillance
A lawsuit filed on Sunday accuses Apple of using company-managed devices to track its employees, both on and off the clock. Amar Bhakta, a member of Apple’s digital advertising division since 2020, alleges the tech giant violated California privacy laws by amassing data from employee devices, including location information.
Bhakta claims Apple requires employees to connect their iCloud accounts to company systems, enabling the collection of personal data even when employees are not working. The lawsuit further alleges that personal devices, such as iPhones, are pre-installed with proprietary software and subject to searches while on company premises.
“For Apple employees, the Apple ecosystem is not a walled garden. It is a prison yard. A panopticon where employees, both on and off duty, are subject to Apple’s all-seeing eye,” Bhakta stated, according to court documents. He also alleges that Apple suppresses employees’ freedom of speech, prohibiting them from discussing wages, working conditions, and political activities.
Apple strongly refuted these allegations, asserting, “We strongly disagree with these claims and believe they lack merit.”
The lawsuit has sparked a conversation about the delicate balance between employee privacy and corporate policies. It raises broader questions about control over personal data in workplaces, particularly within the realm of technology companies.
What specific data is Apple accused of collecting from its employees?
## Apple Faces New Lawsuit Over Alleged Employee Surveillance
**Interviewer:** Joining us today to discuss a breaking news story is tech journalist, Sarah Jones. Sarah, thanks for being here.
**Sarah Jones:** My pleasure.
**Interviewer:** Apple is facing serious allegations about employee surveillance. Can you tell us what we know so far?
**Sarah Jones:** This stems from a lawsuit filed by Amar Bhakta, an employee in Apple’s digital advertising division. He alleges that Apple is collecting a large amount of data from its employees, both on and off the clock, by requiring them to connect their personal iCloud accounts to company systems [[1](https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-accused-monitor-employees-personal-devices-icloud-lawsuit-2024-12?op=1)].
**Interviewer:** How is this data being collected?
**Sarah Jones:** Bhakta claims that Apple uses pre-installed software on personal devices like iPhones to track location information and other personal data. He alleges that even when employees are not working, their data is still being collected because their iCloud accounts are linked to company systems. This raises serious concerns about privacy violations.
**Interviewer:** Are there any other claims in the lawsuit?
**Sarah Jones:** Yes, Bhakta also says that Apple is suppressing employees’ freedom of speech by prohibiting discussions about wages, working conditions, and political activities. He compares the Apple work environment to a “panopticon,” a type of prison where all actions are constantly observed.
**Interviewer:** This sounds pretty alarming. What is Apple’s response to these accusations?
**Sarah Jones:** Apple has yet to make a formal statement regarding this specific lawsuit. However, they have previously defended their data collection practices, stating that they prioritize user privacy and only collect data necessary for business operations.
**Interviewer:** This case seems set to be closely watched by both employees and privacy advocates. Where do you think it will go from here?
**Sarah Jones:** It’s certainly a case that has the potential to spark broader conversations about employee privacy in the tech industry. If Bhakta’s allegations are proven true, it could have significant implications for how companies collect and use employee data in the future. This case is definitely one to watch.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for providing your expert analysis, Sarah.
