Foxconn Guards Kick and Threaten Reporter
A Reuters reporter is manhandled for taking photos of the outside of a Foxconn factory.
Apple is notoriously secretive about upcoming products, refusing to comment on anything until there's been a product launch. We've all heard the crazy stories about people at Apple working on projects under dark cloths, so that passing coworkers can't see what they're doing.
The fact that Apple is so tight-lipped about new products probably contributes to how strict contractors are about helping to keep Cupertino's secrets. Security at the factories is tight and companies are often given several different versions of the same product. This makes it easier to tell who's been leaking information should that situation arise.
One Reuters reporter decided to go and check out the security at one of Foxconn's facilities outside of Hong Kong. What happened to him is truly frightening. The report cites an employee who says, "Security is tight everywhere inside the factories. They use metal detectors and search us. If you have any metal objects on you when you leave, they just call the police."
Arriving outside the facility, the Reuters correspondent called the police himself. The reporter was apparently standing on a public road outside the factory, snapping pictures of the front gate and security check point, when a guard shouted at him. The journalist jumped into his waiting taxi but the guard stood in front of the vehicle and threatened to strip the cab driver of his license if he did not stop.
The Reuters correspondent exited the car and pointed out that as he was on a public road, he was well within his rights to be taking photographs. The guards tried to drag him into the factory but when the writer's requests to be released were not met, he pulled out of their grasp and began to walk away. One of the guards then kicked him in the leg and another threatened to hit him again if he moved.
Foxconn brought around a security car but the reporter refused to get in. Instead, he called the police who arrived soon after and diffused the situation. The guards apologized and the police gave the journalist the option to press charges, but not before advising him, "You're free to do what you want, but this is Foxconn and they have a special status here. Please understand."
Reuters goes on to say that it is unlikely Apple tells its contractors security guards how to behave or how to respond to reporters taking pictures of the outside of the factory. However, it does highlight how seriously these companies take Apple's confidentiality agreements.
Read the full expose here.
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where was this factory?
and
Foxconn is gangster!
oh nm, I see it was in Hong Kong. As if there are laws there.
What else would you expect in china? The guy is lucky he didn't "mysteriously" committed suicide.
Foxconn is know for hiding weapons of mass destruction!
Man, I knew those dirty Apple d-bags would somehow be involved.
I blame them for everything!
Screw Apple!!!!!!!!!!!
Apple is just one out of many companies that Foxconn manufactures for. Oh well, it's China.
fulle: not sure why you think America is sooooooooo much better, in America, atleast the following businesses have special status:
Goldman Sachs
Blackwater
Every major oil company
Every lobbying firm in Washington
The Federal Reserve(in case you didn't know, it IS a private company)
.....
If you don't believe me, show up to a Blackwater facility and start taking pictures
fulle: not sure why you think America is sooooooooo much better, in America, atleast the following businesses have special status:Goldman SachsBlackwaterEvery major oil companyEvery lobbying firm in WashingtonThe Federal Reserve(in case you didn't know, it IS a private company).....If you don't believe me, show up to a Blackwater facility and start taking pictures
Yes, but in America, a battered reporter would file charges, sue them to death, and create a media frenzy.
Wow, I'm amazed at the ignorance of some people here. Do you realise that Hong Kong is nothing like China? It is obviously Foxconn's fault, not tha fact that the city happens to be a Chinese territory...
In other news, Reuters reporter bitten when taunting sharks with hand drenched in blood.
Seriously... What the hell did he expect?!
Did he want to try to trick the guards into stopping him by acting as suspicious as possible?
Snapping pictures unannounced outside a factory with a taxi on standby is exactly what the guards were trained to watch out for to stop. Trying to run away in the cab instead of explaining himself is even more red flag.
He might as well have worn a spy trench coat, mumbled his own theme song and ran away upon being called out while yelling "muahahah! You'll never catch me, suckers!"
if i were with apple, i will congratulate foxconn, they surely did their job well, i like apple products really.
Um public road kravmaga.. I mean seriously come on... I could understand the guards maybe going up to the guy, and asking to see some credentials and what have you. But there was no need for the violence. Quit trying to make the victim into the criminal.
And if this would've happened in the U.S.. A few things would/could've happened. He would sue *most likely*, press charges *not so likely everybody knows there would be no point*, caused a media hayday *goes with sueing most likely*, or we would've never had heard about it because he would've disappeared.
The world will be a far better place if half of the world's reporter suddenly died.
well thats not the kind of thing thatd happen in america anyway. only in china lol.
The world will be a far better place if half of the world's reporter suddenly died.
That´s the kind of thinking you'd expect from a China's Communist Party member. China would be a far better place if this party just vanished.
Yes, but in America, a battered reporter would file charges, sue them to death, and create a media frenzy.
True. America is all about media frenzy - 24/7/52/365.25 of the time. And business here have much more crushing control over the government, individuals, economy, and every single little aspect of your life than China. Yes, we're so noble.
oh nm, I see it was in Hong Kong. As if there are laws there.
Let's get this absolutely straight. There are NO Foxconn production facilities in Hong Kong. The numpties who can't tell the difference between Hong Kong, which is often continually ranked as one of the most free market, lowest corruption economies in the world ahead of the US, and mainland China, should go back to school and get an education.
There are barbed wire fences and a border crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China. Mexicans and Californians, they're all Americans right? DUH!!!
Rofl. I don't think Apple or any other company has a legally protected "special status" in the US. What a scary phrase! Companies in the US are powerful because they can afford good lawyers, but they don't disappear people.
Next time go with your camera and a sub machine gun. Claim self-defence.
Rofl. I don't think Apple or any other company has a legally protected "special status" in the US. What a scary phrase! Companies in the US are powerful because they can afford good lawyers, but they don't disappear people.
It wouldn't surprise me if Boeing or some other US defense contractor enjoyed similar status. But with military contracts you could at least understand.
@White_water_gate
I'm well aware of what Blackwater is, and wouldn't put them in the same league as a company like Foxconn. A company that carries out defense contracts, and a company that manufactures consumer products aren't even comparable.
Damn, I love Foxconn.
Though, Foxconn actually sucks and Quantum Force rocks (their enthusiast spin off, which made products such as the Bloodrage), though QF is closing it seems. =(
I would have just told the taxi driver to go and thrown all my cash at him...
The world will be a far better place if half of the world's reporter suddenly died.
You got it wrong, the world would be a far better place if 9/10 of the worlds politicians suddenly died in burning cars because they couldn't get their seat belts unbuckled.
er, don't foxconn make parts for sony too? I know they made parts for the PS1/PS2 so I guess they do work on the PS3 too
this has nothing to do with hong kong. The factory is in LONGHUA, shenzhen
That´s the kind of thinking you'd expect from a China's Communist Party member. China would be a far better place if this party just vanished.
Notice how you immedicatly thought that I am a CCP member when I never been to China and do not like communism. Who so you think brainwashed you.
You got it wrong, the world would be a far better place if 9/10 of the worlds politicians suddenly died in burning cars because they couldn't get their seat belts unbuckled.
That and most of the lawyers.
Journalists should protest this kind of treatment (and their fans as well). They should organize and go there en mass and take pictures as close as possible to the facility. In numbers, they would be strong.
Yes, but in America, a battered reporter would file charges, sue them to death, and create a media frenzy.
And he would lose. You're still dilusional.
Wow, I'm amazed at the ignorance of some people here. Do you realise that Hong Kong is nothing like China? It is obviously Foxconn's fault, not tha fact that the city happens to be a Chinese territory...
I'm glad some people are educated! I love HK and travel there every chance I get, the culture and mentality is completely different from China (aside from not being China! lol) For anyone who has been there its alot like Japan (the better parts of China) and the Philippines had a baby ! This also extends to their business practice, so get educated and don't be confused by the nonsense!
Why, of course, they are building super giant robot to control the Earth with mind blast psychic technology, biological RPG, heat seeking laser, voice seeking missile, ion cannon, iron curtain, field stealth generator, anthrax sprayer, and obviously nuclear cannon with EMP detonates as it explodes.
Apple.
Why, of course, they are building super giant robot to control the Earth with mind blast psychic technology, biological RPG, heat seeking laser, voice seeking missile, ion cannon, iron curtain, field stealth generator, anthrax sprayer, and obviously nuclear cannon with EMP detonates as it explodes.Apple.
LOL don't forget the reality distortion field!