Apple staff fired over explicit photo-sharing

According to a report by The Courier Mail, Apple has fired some of its employees from one of its busiest Queensland stores for violating its conduct policies. The employees in the Carindale store in Brisbane have allegedly not only taken photographs of female staff, but also shared these photos among each other in a “photo-sharing ring” which ranked the women on a scale of 1-10.

Although Apple has mentioned to CNET that there is "no evidence" of customers being photographed, an earlier report by The Courier Mail stated that "more than 100 close-up and explicit photos were taken of female staff and customers without their knowledge." Some of these photographs were "also lifted from some Apple customers’ phones."

The Courier Mail further reported that "Apple confirmed the Carindale store (was) being investigated" and it’s been understood that four male employees have been fired over this scandal with Apple flying in "overseas HR executive to manage the fallout."

This issue was first brought to light when an employee of the store noticed a technician looking through a customer’s phone in the repair room, who then filed a report with the managers.   According to the staff, "one person would take a photo and add it to the chat and others would give the person or their butt or their boobs a rating out of 10 and they would add their own side commentary."

Apple itself has issued a statement concerning the situation, explaining that it is investigating a "violation of Apple’s business conduct policy," while reinforcing its belief that everyone should be treated equally and with respect.

However, Apple has not commented on the extent of the photo-sharing ring nor if it will be looking into other Australian locations as well.