Reports have circulated the internet that a 25-year old worker at Chinese manufacturer Foxconn, which produces all the iPhone models for Apple, committed suicide last week following revelation that a fourth-generation
iPhone prototype, one of the 16 iPhones he was responsible for, had gone missing. Some stories circulating have described illegal searches of the man's apartment and interrogation involving physical abuse by other Foxconn employees. While not confirming the case being a suicide or the cause being the disappearing device, a spokesperson for the Cupertino-based company did release a statement corroborating the news of his death, saying that it is "saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee, and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death. We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect." The status of the missing iPhone prototype, which may or may not have been one that earlier this month
found itself on eBay given the timeframe (although a 3GS model and not "fourth generation") remains unknown. Our hearts go out to all involved.
Read - Statement form Apple
Read - iPhone prototype goes missing; Chinese worker investigated, commits suicide
posted July 21st 2009 11:23PM
@ Iphonerulez
This news made a stir in both Chinese and International media so how can this man be an ant in a billion ?
If anything, this news is damaging the image and reputation of the Taiwanese supplier as as well Apple.
apple will be the next big thing in Metal and (pop related) Rap.
no more skulls and crossbones, no more references to john gotti or scarface, or satan. we have a new face of omgwtf that is so gangster and or Dark and evil
the iphone
and yeah , isn't there an app for that?
Hardly surprising if you have ever worked with Foxconn. Those guys at Foxconn are like Mafias. Those Taiwanese (Foxconn is Taiwanese) really go to the extremes. The stories I have heard from my colleagues that handle their accounts, oh my.... And the entire factory is like a fortress, with security tighter than the White House.
I really doubt Apple has anything to do with it. It's probably more to do with Foxconn getting worried about losing Apple's business
This might be of interest (to anyone who has made it this far down the comments)
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1433657/apple-sony-dump-foxconn-quanta
"RUMOUR HAS IT both Apple and Sony will be dumping Foxconn Electronics in favour of Quanta Computer next year when it comes to building their notebooks.
...
Foxconn's build quality has also come under some criticism, something any owner of a Sony Vaio laptop can maybe appreciate. Apple, which has also found itself getting beaten up by tech press over its build quality, has also been using Foxconn to build a significant number of its Iphones and notebooks. Sources also hint that the dukes of Cupertino blame the Taiwanese OEM for quality woes, thus the move to a new builder. Foxconn "never [was] and probably will never be good at building top notch stuff," our industry insider tells us, adding "it's just not their thing.""
Just saying...
Also of note to anyone caring enough to read this far... I can't believe the majority of the posts are bitching at Apple for this. Either blaming them directly or indirectly for not doing anything about Foxconn. You guys do realize how many other big name corporations use Foxconn to build their hardware? Sony being one example as seen above. Microsoft also uses them for Zunes & 360's. Those are just the two I know about for sure, a little google digging would probably reveal quite a few more.
I agree this is way beyond tragic, but I'm not sure you can blame one entity or circumstance in this situation. I'm sure there were a lot of factors that lead to this.
IMO this is not a post that should be used for the eternal Apple hater vs. Apple fanboi war. Show some respect.
Don't fuck with Steve.
"We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect."...... and we make it easy by manufacturing it in a Country where all citizens are treated with dignity and respect. We are certain that the investigation will show no signs of foul play because in China - human rights are job #1.
When I first saw this story on digg, I thought it was just a hoax. I can't believe this would happen...how is Apple going to handle this?!
We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect, and by jingo, we certainly go out of our way to enforce this requirement!
Cupertino is DEFINITELY responsible for his death, he was with a hooker, she stole his phone, then he reported it and Steve Jobs had him killed.
Its all very very clear.
"suicide"
from the Internal memo it looks like Apple was cleaning house
I am boycotting the 3GS... I was considering to upgrade. But now I won´t. I hope apple sets this right.
Looks like you're boycotting common sense more than anything else.
Microsoft will fix it tho.
Don't worry
its amazing how insensitive many of you are, I wonder if you'd all be cracking LAME jokes if someone u knew committed suicide?
@ Iphonerulez
You sure love your iphone don't you? Would you... would you... kill for it?
Doesn't this make the the iphone more hot?