Apple has reportedly asked all of its employees in the United States (US) to share their COVID-19 vaccination status voluntarily.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the company recently sent a memo asking employees whether or not to work outside the office to share vaccination information on September 17.
In the memo, Apple told its employees that it would keep the status of their vaccines confidential and secure despite the possibility of changes in the future.
"It's possible that your vaccination status may be used in an identifiable way along with other information about your general work environment such as the location of your building, if we determine or if needed. This information is needed to ensure a healthy and safe work environment," Apple said in a statement. the memo.
It's not clear if there will be sanctions if the employee refuses to provide their vaccination status by Apple's set time.
Unlike Google, Apple currently does not require its employees to be vaccinated before entering the office. But Apple is starting to encourage its workers to get vaccinated immediately.
Where Apple recently started a campaign encouraging workers to get their chance at vaccines.
The company's demand and acknowledgment that the information employees share with it can be used in an identifiable manner comes as Apple faces increasing scrutiny over the way Apple handles the privacy of its workers.
A recent report from The Verge details some of the company's policies on that front. For example, one of the rules prohibits employees from wiping their work equipment before returning it to the company. This new policy may further fuel these concerns.
