The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is looking into how Apple uses non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The reason was a complaint from a former employee of the company.

Last year, ex-Apple employee Cher Scarlett filed a complaint against the company with the SEC. Scarlett alleged that Apple provided the regulator with incorrect information about its NDA policy. Scarlett revealed this week that the SEC contacted her in late January to learn more. It is not yet known whether an official investigation has been opened and what kind of information the commission needs.

In her complaint, Scarlett said that Apple, under the NDA, tried to prevent her from talking about the problems of discrimination in the company. Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock said the SEC has not contacted the company and Apple has no knowledge of the investigation. He added that as part of the NDA policy, Apple employees have the right to discuss their wages, hours and working conditions. Apple also complies with California's Silenced No More Act, which prohibits companies from relying on non-disclosure agreements in an attempt to prevent employees from speaking out about discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Rosenstock said that for Apple, this law applies "throughout the United States, regardless of where employees work."

Non-disclosure agreements and other secrecy provisions have been gaining attention lately amid waves of tech company employee activity. Apple, in particular, is facing increasing pressure from shareholders and politicians to provide more information about the company's NDA policy.

Last year, shareholders asked the company to prepare a public report on the use of the non-disclosure agreement "in the context of harassment, discrimination and other illegal activities." Apple countered that it had "already largely achieved the main goals of this proposal"; in December, this objection was rejected by the SEC. The next time the shareholders' proposal will be considered in March.

bbabo.Net