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.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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the_krasno What else would you expect in china? The guy is lucky he didn't "mysteriously" committed suicide.Reply -
amabhy Man, I knew those dirty Apple d-bags would somehow be involved.Reply
I blame them for everything!
Screw Apple!!!!!!!!!!! -
killerclick Apple is just one out of many companies that Foxconn manufactures for. Oh well, it's China.Reply -
fulle: not sure why you think America is sooooooooo much better, in America, atleast the following businesses have special status:Reply
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
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curnel_D white_water_gatefulle: 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 picturesYes, but in America, a battered reporter would file charges, sue them to death, and create a media frenzy.Reply -
jenesuispasbavard 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...Reply -
kravmaga In other news, Reuters reporter bitten when taunting sharks with hand drenched in blood.Reply
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!"