Apple controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
2026
Apple and Amazon face revived UK consumer lawsuit over product sales
Lawsuit filed
In September 2026, Reuters reported that Apple and Amazon were facing a revived consumer lawsuit in the United Kingdom concerning product sales. According to the report, the lawsuit was revived and related to product sales. The event was identified as Apple and Amazon facing a revived UK consumer lawsuit over product sales. The report was dated September 28, 2026, and the source was Reuters. The available summary does not provide additional information about the specific claims, the court, the claimants, or any outcome. It states only that the revived lawsuit concerns product sales and involves Apple and Amazon in the UK. This note records the controversy as reported, without further allegations or determinations.
Reuters reported that Apple and Amazon are facing a revived UK consumer lawsuit concerning product sales.
Source excerpt
Apple and Amazon face revived UK consumer lawsuit over product sales
2026
Apple to flag AI requests for Mac data after Meta Muse complaints
According to a Reuters report, Apple said it will flag AI requests for Mac data. The statement followed complaints drawn by Meta's Muse. The report did not specify further details about the complaints or the flagging mechanism.
Source excerpt
Apple says it will flag AI requests for Mac data
Apple says it will flag AI requests for Mac data after Meta's Muse draws complaints
2026
US jury rules Apple owes record $5.7 billion in patent case against San Diego company
Ruling
A US jury ruled that Apple owes a record $5.7 billion in a patent case against a San Diego company. The event was reported on September 27, 2026. The ruling concerns a patent dispute between Apple and the San Diego company, with the jury finding that Apple must pay the stated amount.
Source excerpt
US jury says Apple owes record $5.7 billion in patent case against San Diego company
US jury says Apple owes record $5.7 billion in haptic technology patent case
2026
Apple Watch Series 12 Live Rewind and Siri Recap features
In September 2026, Apple announced that its new Apple Watch Series 12 can continuously listen to spoken words around it and create summaries. The features include Live Rewind, which transcribes the last 15 seconds of speech, and Siri Recap, which provides high-level daily summaries. According to the announcement, neither feature identifies individual speakers, and an audible chime sounds when transcription occurs.
Apple announced earlier in September 2026 that its new Apple Watch Series 12 can continuously listen to spoken words around it and create summaries, including a Live Rewind feature that transcribes the last 15 seconds of speech and a Siri Recap feature providing high-level daily summaries, both without identifying individual speakers, with an audible chime when transcribing.
Source excerpt
Earlier this month, Apple announced that its new Apple Watches will have the ability to continuously listen to every spoken word they detect and create summaries of whatever’s going on around you.
The company claimed that one feature, Live Rewind, uses a rolling buffer that only transcribes the last 15 seconds of speech, and another, Siri Recap, only provides “high-level summaries” of what it captured throughout the day — both without identifying individual speakers.
Features on the Apple Watch Series 12 that recall “what was said in the last 15 seconds” (Live Rewind) and take “notes on your conversations throughout your day” (Siri Recap).
2026
Privacy backlash against Apple Watch always-listening features
Public backlash
The newly announced Apple Watch listening features drew immediate privacy backlash: experts warned of legal risks in nonpublic spaces and in states where eavesdropping laws require both parties to consent to being recorded, and many criticized the technology as creepy. Apple responded by publishing a page of technical details asserting the features do not spy on users.
Company response
Clarification — Apple
Apple, prepared for the backlash, launched an entire page of technical details in an attempt to reassure people that no, it’s not spying on them.
Source excerpt
The privacy blowback was immediate and inevitable: Experts warned of the legal risks of using the features, especially in nonpublic spaces and states where eavesdropping laws require both parties to consent to being recorded.
Apple, prepared for the backlash, launched an entire page of technical details in an attempt to reassure people that no, it’s not spying on them.
Many others called the tech “ creepy .”
2026
Apple acknowledges App Store regulatory changes weigh on services business
Issue disclosure
Apple for the first time explicitly acknowledged that global regulatory and court rulings forcing it to loosen App Store payment restrictions have affected its services business. In a regulatory filing, the company warned that transactions through alternative payment channels may not generate commissions.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Apple
苹果最新监管文件警告，通过替代支付渠道完成的交易可能无法获得佣金。
Source excerpt
苹果最新监管文件警告，通过替代支付渠道完成的交易可能无法获得佣金。
2026
Former Apple worker sues Apple alleging race and national origin discrimination and retaliation
Lawsuit filed
A former Apple worker, a Mexico-born Latino man, sued Apple Inc. on August 13, 2026, in federal court in Indiana, alleging race and national origin discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The complaint alleges he reported racist comments to HR, was assured of no retaliation, and then had his bonus eliminated, Restricted Stock Units cut, title downgraded, and was placed on a performance plan before resigning effective July 14, 2026, alleging constructive discharge. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Source excerpt
The worker, a Mexico-born Latino man, sued Apple Inc. on August 13, 2026, in federal court in Indiana, alleging race and national origin discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
He says HR promised no retaliation. Months later his bonus and title were gone, he claims
2026
Apple sends spyware threat notifications to users in 110 countries
Issue disclosure
Apple sent a new round of threat notifications to users in 110 countries and regions, warning that their iPhone, iPad or Mac devices may be targets of government-grade spyware attacks. Apple said the total number of countries and regions that have received such alerts now exceeds 150, and it updated its support documentation and user experience, including lock-screen push notifications, emails and account-login warnings, advising users to enable Lockdown Mode.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Apple
苹果检测到针对您iPhone的雇佣间谍软件攻击。您现在可以采取行动来保护您的数据和设备。
Source excerpt
科技巨头苹果公司于本周四向全球110个国家和地区的用户发送了新一轮的威胁通知，警告他们可能正面临能够入侵其设备的间谍软件攻击。
据苹果公司透露，迄今为止，收到过此类警报的国家和地区总数已超过150个
苹果检测到针对您iPhone的雇佣间谍软件攻击。您现在可以采取行动来保护您的数据和设备。
2026
OpenAI sues Apple, alleging an Apple employee stole trade secrets on unreleased hardware projects
Lawsuit filed
OpenAI filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging that an unnamed employee who had worked at OpenAI for six months returned to Apple with more than 100 stolen files related to OpenAI's hardware projects and presented them to Apple executives, and that the trade secret theft relates to Apple's newly announced HomeView hub. The suit follows Apple's July lawsuit against OpenAI alleging two former Apple employees stole proprietary IP. Apple denies that the presentation happened and says there is no evidence of the stolen files on its servers. The case could go to trial as early as June, or possibly October, next year.
Company response
Denial — Apple
It also denies that the presentation happened and says that there is no evidence of the stolen files on its servers.
Source excerpt
Now the tables have turned – OpenAI claims that an unidentified employee left Apple, worked at OpenAI for six months and then returned to Apple with stolen details on OpenAI’s hardware projects.
The lawsuit alleges that the unnamed employee walked away with 100+ files related to OpenAI’s hardware project(s) and presented them to Apple executives.
The new Apple HomeView finds itself at the center of a lawsuit
2026
Apple supplier Tata Electronics hit by cyber incident exposing over 630GB of confidential files
Hazard disclosure
In June, Tata Electronics, Apple's core contract manufacturer in India, suffered a cybersecurity incident in which more than 200,000 confidential files totaling over 630GB were posted to the dark web. The exposed material included motherboard blueprints, chip parameters, component procurement floor prices, and real-device test videos. The incident was described as Apple's most severe leak to date, and the Indian government subsequently intervened to investigate.
In June, Apple's core contract manufacturer in India, Tata Electronics, suffered a cybersecurity incident in which more than 200,000 confidential files totaling over 630GB were posted to the dark web, exposing motherboard blueprints, chip parameters, component procurement floor prices and real-device test videos; the incident was described as Apple's most severe leak to date and India's government subsequently intervened to investigate.
Source excerpt
今年6月，苹果在印度的核心代工厂塔塔电子遭遇网络安全事件，数据规模超过20万份、总量超过630GB的机密文件被传到暗网，主板图纸、芯片参数、零部件采购底价、真机测试视频全部曝光，被外界称为苹果史上最严重泄密。随后，印度政府介入调查。
2020
Environmental, sourcing, and repair-policy criticism
The company has been criticized over materials sourcing, environmental effects, product repair restrictions, and the broader consequences of tightly controlled hardware design.
2019
App Store competition and platform-control disputes
Apple’s rules governing application distribution, commissions, payment systems, and access to users have been challenged by developers, competitors, and regulators as potentially anticompetitive.
2019
Apple faces a patent-infringement case in Shenzhen
Lawsuit filed
Shenzhen-based Aima Xin issued Apple a lawyer's letter concerning alleged patent infringement, and the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court accepted the case. The source does not establish when the case was accepted.
Source excerpt
近日，苹果公司却被曝出专利侵权。据广州日报全媒体10月14日报道，一家名为“深圳市爱玛芯科技有限公司”（以下简称爱玛芯）的企业向苹果出具了专利侵权相关律师函，深圳市中级人民法院已经受理案件，知识产权保护机构也已跟进。
据广州日报全媒体10月14日报道，一家名为“深圳市爱玛芯科技有限公司”（以下简称爱玛芯）的企业向苹果出具了专利侵权相关律师函，深圳市中级人民法院已经受理案件，知识产权保护机构也已跟进。
2019
Apple responds to concerns about Safari browsing data
Company response
In October 2019, Apple responded to a report that Safari browsing data, including IP addresses, was sent to Tencent. Apple stated that Safari users' actual website URLs are not sent to safe-browsing providers and that the data is not shared with third parties. The response addressed concerns about the handling of browsing data in Safari's safe-browsing feature.
Apple said Safari users’ actual website URLs are not sent to safe-browsing providers and that the data is not shared with third parties, responding to a report that browsing data including IP addresses was sent to Tencent.
Company response
Clarification — Apple
苹果对此做出官方回应，称用户实际上并未发送真实网址，也未与第三方共享这些数据。
Source excerpt
据外媒报道，作为iPhone和iPad的安全功能，苹果被曝会将包括IP地址在内的网络浏览数据发送到腾讯，从而在用户加载网站之前警告用户该网站是否安全。现在，苹果对此做出官方回应，称用户实际上并未发送真实网址，也未与第三方共享这些数据。
用户所访问网站的实际网址永远不会与安全浏览提供商共享，并且用户可以选择关闭该功能。
2019
Blix sues Apple over Blue Mail
Lawsuit filed
Blix filed a lawsuit against Apple in federal court in Delaware, alleging patent infringement and antitrust violations related to Apple's "Sign in with Apple" feature and alleging that Apple harmed Blue Mail's App Store standing. These are allegations in the lawsuit; the source reports no court determination.
Source excerpt
Blix filed a lawsuit against Apple at a federal court in Delaware last week.
The developer of the email management app Blue Mail is suing Apple for allegedly infringing on its patent and violating antitrust laws.
Blix also alleged that Apple deliberately caused Blue Mail's standing in the App Store to plummet, especially after the app introduced an "anonymous share" feature.
2019
Ruling orders Apple to repay €13 billion to Ireland
Ruling
In a controversy noted in Apple's Brand Wiki, a ruling in the company's unpaid taxes case required Apple to repay 13 billion euros to Ireland. The event was reported on October 5, 2019. The decision addressed the unpaid taxes matter and specified the repayment amount. No further details regarding the case's outcome or additional allegations are included in the source.
A ruling in Apple's unpaid taxes case requires Apple to pay back 13 billion euros to Ireland.
Source excerpt
Apple must pay back 13 billion euros to Ireland following a ruling in its unpaid taxes case.
2019
Apple launches iPhone 6s service program for power issue
Corrective action
Apple launched a service program for select iPhone 6s and 6s Plus devices that may not power on because of a component that can fail. Eligible phones can be repaired free of charge, and customers who already paid for a replacement can contact Apple about a refund.
Company response
Remediation — Apple
If you have an eligible iPhone, Apple will repair it free of charge.
Source excerpt
If you have an eligible iPhone, Apple will repair it free of charge.
Apple has launched a new service program for select iPhone 6s and 6s Plus devices that may not power on.
a limited number of 6s and 6s Plus phones manufactured between October 2018 and August 2019 may not power on due to a component that can fail.
2019
Apple recalls certain iPhone 6s and 6s Plus phones
Recall announced
Apple announced a voluntary recall of certain iPhone 6s and 6s Plus phones affected by a component failure that could prevent them from turning on. Apple offered to repair affected phones free of charge, subject to other issues being fixed at the owner's expense first.
Company response
Remediation — Apple
Apple didn't specify what the malfunction really was, only promising to repair all affected phones free of charge.
Source excerpt
Apple recalls certain iPhone 6s and 6s Plus phones because of power malfunction
Apple has recognised that certain phones aren't turning on due to a "component failure" and are planning to make amends.
The issue affects devices manufactured between October 2018 and August 2019.
2019
Blix sues Apple over alleged patent infringement and antitrust violations
Lawsuit filed
In a controversy involving Apple, app developer Blix filed a lawsuit against the company in Delaware federal court. The lawsuit alleged patent infringement and antitrust violations related to Apple's "Sign in with Apple" feature. The filing was reported on October 4, 2019.
App developer Blix filed a lawsuit against Apple in Delaware federal court, alleging patent infringement and antitrust violations related to Apple's “Sign in with Apple” feature.
Source excerpt
An app developer is accusing Apple of patent infringement and antitrust violations in a new lawsuit filed Friday in Delaware federal court.
Blix, the maker of an email client called Blue Mail, alleged that the recently launched "Sign in with Apple" feature infringes on its patents.
2019
Blix sues Apple over alleged patent infringement and antitrust violations
Lawsuit filed
Blix, the maker of the Blue Mail email client, filed a lawsuit against Apple in Delaware federal court, alleging patent infringement and antitrust violations. The suit alleges that Apple's "Sign in with Apple" feature infringes Blix's patents. The article reports no specific evidence that Apple deliberately harmed Blue Mail's downloads.
Blix, maker of the Blue Mail email client, filed a lawsuit against Apple in Delaware federal court, alleging patent infringement and antitrust violations. The suit alleges that Apple's “Sign in with Apple” feature infringes Blix's patents; the article reports no specific evidence that Apple deliberately harmed Blue Mail's downloads.
Source excerpt
An app developer is accusing Apple of patent infringement and antitrust violations in a new lawsuit filed Friday in Delaware federal court.
Blix, the maker of an email client called Blue Mail, alleged that the recently launched “Sign in with Apple” feature infringes on its patents.
The lawsuit doesn’t offer any specific evidence that Apple deliberately hurt its downloads.
2019
Former Apple employee files discrimination lawsuit
Lawsuit filed
A former Apple employee filed a lawsuit against the company seeking $750,000, alleging that managers did not support him after racist behavior by customers and that he was ultimately fired. The claims are presented in the lawsuit; the source reports no court determination on the matter.
A former employee sued Apple for $750,000, alleging that managers failed to support him after racist behavior by customers and that he was ultimately fired. The allegations are described in the lawsuit; the source reports no court determination.
Source excerpt
A black former employee at a suburban Portland Apple store who says managers repeatedly failed to support him and ultimately fired him after years of racist behavior from customers has filed a $750,000 lawsuit against the technology giant.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports in a lawsuit filed last week, Joshua Holt says white customers “constantly asked” if he worked at the Tigard store even though he’d just welcomed them inside.
2019
AimaXin’s patent-infringement case against Apple
Lawsuit filed
Shenzhen AimaXin Technology alleged that Apple’s wireless-charging products infringed its patent and sought to stop sales and obtain compensation. The source says the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court had accepted the case; it does not report a ruling on the allegations.
Source excerpt
目前深圳市中级人民法院已经受理案件
该函件显示的正是爱玛芯委托律师所起诉苹果，因苹果在官方网站及中国内地所有线下门店，涉嫌销售侵犯爱玛芯专利权的产品。
2019
iPhone user sues Apple over alleged effects of cryptocurrency app
Lawsuit filed
In 2019, D Razumilov filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that an app on his iPhone led him to have same-sex relationships. The claim was reported by the source, which does not establish that the allegation is true. The event is recorded as a controversy note concerning the alleged effects of a cryptocurrency app on the user's phone.
D Razumilov sued Apple, claiming an app on his phone led him to have same-sex relationships. The source reports the claim but does not establish that it is true.
Source excerpt
An iPhone user is suing Apple after claiming an app on his phone turned him gay.
According to a report from Newsweek, a Russian man is suing Apple on the allegation that an app he downloaded turned him gay.
He’s suing for $15,000.
2019
Russian man sues Apple over alleged iPhone message
Lawsuit filed
A Russian man sued Apple, claiming that a message sent to his iPhone led him to enter same-sex relationships and caused him mental suffering. The article does not report a court determination.
Source excerpt
Razumilov is seeking over $15,000 in damages from Apple for allegedly "turning him gay."
he's filed a lawsuit against Apple after claiming that his iPhone turned him gay.
A Russian man has sued Apple after claiming a mysterious message sent to his iPhone turned him gay, according to a report from The Moscow Times.
2019
Russian man files lawsuit against Apple
Lawsuit filed
A Russian man identified as D. Razumilov filed a lawsuit seeking more than $15,000 from Apple, alleging that the company manipulatively pushed him toward homosexuality and caused him mental harm. The court registered the lawsuit and scheduled an interview for Oct. 17; the article reports no determination on the allegations.
Source excerpt
Razumilov accused Apple of “manipulatively pushing me toward homosexuality,” which caused him “moral suffering and harm to mental health,” in his 1 million ruble ($15,300) complaint.
Moscow’s Presnensky District Court registered Razumilov’s lawsuit last Wednesday, according to the court database, and has scheduled an interview for Oct. 17.
A Russian man has filed a lawsuit against Apple for moral harm claiming that an iPhone app had turned him gay, according to a copy of the complaint seen by AFP.
2019
Apple replaces iOS 13.2 with iOS 13.2.1 after HomePod reports
After owners reported that iOS 13.2 put some HomePods into a boot loop, Apple pulled iOS 13.2 and pushed iOS 13.2.1. Apple did not explain the bug or state in a note that the new version fixed it.
Company response
Remediation — Apple
In response, Apple silently pulled iOS 13.2 and just as silently pushed iOS 13.2.1.
Source excerpt
Several such owners reported that the update seemingly put their smart speakers into an inescapable boot loop.
In response, Apple silently pulled iOS 13.2 and just as silently pushed iOS 13.2.1.
2019
Law firm files lawsuit against Apple and Samsung over alleged radio-frequency radiation levels
Lawsuit filed
Fegan Scott filed a lawsuit against Apple and Samsung alleging that independent tests found radio-frequency radiation levels from certain smartphones exceeded federal limits under the stated conditions. The article reports the allegation and filing, not a court determination.
Source excerpt
一家总部位于芝加哥的律师事务所Fegan Scott提起了针对苹果和三星的诉讼。Fegan Scott表示，独立测试表明，当按照“制造商销售”的方式使用时，这些智能手机的射频辐射水平“远远超过了联邦限制”。
收到测试结果后，费根·斯科特（Fegan Scott）决定对苹果和三星正式发起诉讼，涉及iPhone 7 Plus、iPhone 8、iPhone XR、Galaxy S8、Galaxy S9和Galaxy S10。
2019
Apple responds to iPhone 11 Pro location-tracking concern
Company response
Apple said it had seen no actual security concern and explained that iOS uses Location Services to determine whether the iPhone is in a place where ultra-wideband must be disabled under international regulations. Apple also said it would release an iOS update with a switch to completely disable location tracking.
Stated objective. Comply with international regulatory requirements for disabling ultra-wideband in specified locations.
Company response
Clarification — Apple
苹果公司对此仅作出有限的回应，表示“我们并未看到任何实际的安全隐患”，并表示这款机型的运作符合预期。
Remediation — Apple
并称其将会发布iOS更新，提供一种开关功能以完全禁止位置跟踪。
Source excerpt
即使用户关闭位置跟踪功能，iPhone 11 Pro也仍可追踪其位置数据。
但现在该公司提供了后续细节，解释了iPhone 11 Pro这样做的理由，并称其将会发布iOS更新，提供一种开关功能以完全禁止位置跟踪。
iOS使用定位服务来帮助确定iPhone是否处在这种被禁用的地点，目的是关闭超宽带以遵守相关法规。
2019
Apple faces backlash over Crimea displayed as Russian territory
Public backlash
Apple faced criticism from Ukraine after its apps displayed Crimea as Russian territory when used in Russia. Ukrainian officials objected to the depiction; Russian lawmakers said Apple had complied with Moscow's demand.
Source excerpt
Ukraine has lashed out at Apple for showing the , saying the US tech giant did not “give a damn” about the pain of the Ukrainian people.annexed Crimea peninsula as part of Russia
As of Wednesday, the Black Sea peninsula and its largest cities of Sevastopol and Simferopol were being displayed as Russian territory on Apple’s apps when used in Russia.
Russian lawmakers said on Wednesday that Apple had complied with a demand from Moscow for Crimea to appear as Russian territory on its maps and weather apps.
2019
Apple agrees to pay $467,000 to settle US sanctions allegations
Fine or penalty
Apple agreed to pay about $467,000 to settle allegations that it violated US sanctions by dealing with a blacklisted entity. The US Treasury Department said Apple had made payments related to the entity while it was blacklisted.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Apple
The company reported it to the authorities and fully cooperated with their investigation, which has now been completed.
Remediation — Apple
Since the incident, Apple has improved its compliance program and increased the role of its global export and sanctions compliance officer in the entire process.
Source excerpt
Apple has agreed to pay about $467,000 USD to settle allegations it violated US sanctions by dealing with a blacklisted entity for more than two years, the US Treasury Department said.
The OFAC did credit Apple for its voluntary disclosure of the violations but also said that it showed “reckless disregard for U.S. sanctions requirements.”
2012
Supplier labor and working-condition criticism
Apple has faced recurring criticism and reporting concerning labor conditions, worker treatment, and labor relations among contractors and manufacturing partners.