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Top 10 Dark Secrets Apple Doesn't Want You to Know

Top 10 Dark Secrets Apple Doesn't Want You to Know
VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton WRITTEN BY: Michael Wynands
Sure… Apple products are pretty and the User Interface can't be beat. But what dark secrets are lurking behind that shiny exterior? For this list, we'll be looking at the history and business practices of technology giant Apple Inc., putting the spotlight on some of the less-than-savory details from behind-the-scenes. Our countdown includes Apple's Relationship with Data Collection, Using "Blood Minerals" in their Products, how They Lied to Consumers About Government Surveillance, and more!
Script written by Michael Wynands

10 Dark Secrets Apple Doesn’t Want You To Know.


Sure… their products are pretty and the User Interface can’t be beat. But what’s behind that shiny exterior? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the 10 Dark Secrets Apple Doesn’t Want You To Know.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the history and business practices of technology giant Apple Inc., putting the spotlight on some of the less-than-savory details from behind-the-scenes.


#10: Their Relationship with Data Collection


In a 2019 Atlantic article, “Apple’s Empty Grandstanding About Privacy” Ian Bogost called out what he perceives as blatant hypocrisy on the part of Apple. On the one hand, Apple has sought to distinguish itself from competitors by promising to be the company you can trust to respect your privacy, and it’s supported this with initiatives like a tool that allows users to control what personal data is collected from their phones. The default data collection Apple does is surprisingly light. BUT… and this is a major but, Apple doesn’t need to profit from your data directly because it profits from other companies that collect data from your device. This includes Google, which pays billions to be the default search engine on iPhones.

#9: Their Phones Aren't That Different Anymore


When the iPhone first came out it was utterly unique. It wasn’t just a phone… it was an iPhone - an entirely different technological beast that was held above all competitors. And so it could be argued that because the iPhone quickly became the industry gold standard, all other smartphone manufacturers began emulating the design and UI, getting as close as possible without getting sued. But at the same time, many feel that the competitors have only been able to catch up because Apple has stopped innovating - and innovation is what initially made Apple stand out from the pack. If you don’t feel a desperate need to get the newest iPhone, maybe it’s because there’s nothing that special about it.

#8: Steve Jobs' Cutthroat Manner


Many tech writers and business commentators have suggested that Apple seemed to lose its way following the untimely passing of co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs. A brilliant creator and businessman, he was certainly one of a kind; it’s little wonder that Tim Cook has struggled to fill his shoes. But for all his positive qualities, Jobs was also reported to have a darker side to him as well. He was so focused on reaching his goals that his behavior often invited descriptors such as “cutthroat” or “ruthless.” Anecdotes abound of him using extremely vulgar language to insult employees and peers alike. He was also said to be incredibly charming when he wanted to, which apparently made him a master manipulator of those around him.

#7: Their Products Are More Prone to Defects than Most Think


If you want an Apple product, you’re paying a premium price. Tablets, smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, earbuds, desktop computers - you can get all of these products for a fraction of the price from competitors. But Apple has always been synonymous with quality, which is why they can charge more. The thing is… not all products live up to the reputation. It’s a long-held belief that Apple computers don’t get viruses. As of 2020, however, Malwarebytes reports that Macs are more likely to be infected than PCs. In terms of hardware, the butterfly switch keyboard has been widely derided. iPads were shipped out in 2018 with bent chassis. That same year, there were widespread reports of new Macbooks overheating. Apple Watches have also had battery expansion problems.

#6: Using "Blood Minerals" in their Products


Now… let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While the term “blood minerals” sounds like some sinister magic straight outta “The Witcher” or “The Dark Crystal,” it’s very much a grounded real-world problem. Most people have heard of the term “blood diamonds,” which refers to diamonds mined in a war zone, with the profits going to support the conflict. Well, “blood minerals” present the same ethical issue. But instead of putting them on a ring, they’re used in tech products like iPhones. In 2016, Apple, alongside other major tech companies, came under fire for using minerals mined in zones of conflict and by child laborers. Since then, Apple has made efforts to source its materials responsibly, which is great, but it doesn’t erase the recent past.

#5: They’ve Essentially Got Their Own Private Police Force


In 2010, people representing Apple attempted to enter the private residence of an individual who was suspected of being in possession of a then-unreleased iPhone. For the record, they didn’t enter by force. So… no big deal right? But the fact remains that Apple, as a corporate entity, took it upon themselves to go to a private home and request access. That’s not the role of a company. If they suspect theft, they need to report it to the police just like anyone else. But it gets worse. The Worldwide Loyalty Team reportedly has moles in place to root out leaks, and departmental raids at the Apple campus apparently aren’t uncommon. As such, they’ve earned the nickname “Apple Gestapo.”


#4: They Lied to Consumers About Government Surveillance


If consumers ask you a question about the product or service you’re selling, they expect the truth. And when you’re talking about a piece of tech that could infringe on an individual’s right to privacy - that goes double. In 2013, it was revealed via leaked documents that a secret American National Security Agency program called PRISM was collecting the personal data of users through major tech companies, including Apple. But when the news came out, Apple vehemently denied having any involvement, releasing a carefully worded public statement. The NSA later confirmed that this was patently false and that all companies involved were made aware. We get that Apple likely didn’t have a choice but to participate, but the lie seriously undermines customer trust.


#3: Committing Collusion/



And now we’re getting into criminal territory. In 2013, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote found Apple Inc. guilty of having conspired and colluded with publishers in ways that went against price-fixing laws. Not only that, but Apple was identified as the primary enabler of the conspiracy; without their involvement, the judge deemed that the artificial inflation of prices would not have been possible. Naturally, Apple appealed this decision and tried to have it overturned, but they were ultimately ordered to pay a $450 million settlement. And to think, they went to these extreme lengths just to raise ebook prices by a few dollars. Bill Baer, who was head of the Justice Department’s antitrust division, called Apple’s actions “cynical misconduct.”

#2: Taking Advantage of Tax Loopholes


When you hear the term “Double Irish Arrangement,” a few possibilities meanings come to mind. It could be a fancy skateboarding or figure skating move. But it’s more likely a crime. Though it might not be as famous as the Cayman Islands or Panama, Ireland is a known tax haven, and the “Double Irish Arrangement” is a strategy that allows multinational companies to shield themselves from paying substantial amounts of taxes to the United States. In 2013, Apple was found to have evaded paying taxes in the tens of billions of dollars using various unsavory (if not always illegal) methods of business management. The EU has since cracked down and ordered Apple to pay fines, but Apple’s low tax payments continue to invite scrutiny.

#1: Ignoring Issues with Worker Safety Conditions


In 2019, Apple came under fire for breaking Chinese labor laws. But this is just the latest in a long slew of allegations about poor working conditions in the factories where Apple products are assembled. Apple has been working with electronics manufacturer, Foxconn, for over a decade, and these issues go all the way back to 2006 when the western media first got wind of the terrible conditions and abysmal pay. At the time, Apple promised to investigate, as part of its commitment to “ensuring that working conditions… are safe” and that “workers are treated with respect and dignity.” In 2010, however, workers began committing suicide at Foxconn’s industrial park, where working conditions continue to raise red flags to this day.



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