Apple's 7 famous scandals of all time

Apple is known worldwide for its sleek design, cutting-edge technology, and a near-cult following. 

From the first Macintosh to the iPhone revolution, the Cupertino-based giant has shaped how the world experiences tech.

Yet beneath the polished surface lies a history marked by controversy. Some of these incidents have become industry legends, shaping consumer trust and influencing how Apple conducts business today.

Here’s a closer look at some of the company’s most infamous scandals.

1. Antennagate

When the iPhone 4 launched in June 2010, its sleek design stunned the world. But soon, users discovered that simply holding the phone the “wrong way” could drop calls due to a flaw in its external antenna.

Dubbed “Antennagate,” the issue quickly went viral. Apple’s then-CEO Steve Jobs tried to downplay the problem, famously saying: “We’re not perfect, but we want all our users to be happy.”

2. Bendgate

In 2014, Apple’s quest for thinner devices backfired. Users of the iPhone 6 Plus discovered that the phone could bend, sometimes just from being kept in a tight pocket.

A viral video showing someone bending the phone with their bare hands ignited the firestorm known as “Bendgate.”

The company insisted that the problem was rare, but the backlash forced the company to strengthen the chassis in later models.

3. Touch Disease

Closely following Bendgate came another flaw in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus screens developed a flickering grey bar and stopped responding to touch.

The phenomenon, nicknamed “Touch Disease,” stemmed from design weaknesses in solder joints on the logic board.

Apple initially blamed user mishandling, but mounting lawsuits pushed the company to launch a $149 repair programme.

4. Apple Maps

In 2012, Apple boldly replaced Google Maps with its own service. However, it resulted in glitches, wrong directions, missing landmarks, and even safety hazards.

The fiasco not only embarrassed Apple but also cost software chief Scott Forstall his job.

5. The labour dilemma

The darkest shadow over Apple’s empire lies in its supply chain. Reports of grueling working conditions, child labour, and even suicides at Foxconn factories in China have haunted the company for over a decade.

In 2010, 14 workers took their lives amid oppressive hours and poor conditions. Investigations later confirmed widespread labour abuses.

While Apple has pledged reforms, critics argue the company has never fully addressed the human toll behind its sleek devices.

6. Siri eavesdropping

Apple prides itself on privacy, but a lawsuit claimed Siri had been recording private conversations without user consent.

These snippets were allegedly used to trigger targeted ads, sparking outrage.

The case ended with Apple paying a $95 million settlement, barely a dent in its nearly $94 billion annual profits.

7. The $14 billion tax bill in Ireland

In 2018, the European Commission hit Apple with a staggering $14.5 billion tax bill, ruling that Ireland had given the company illegal state aid by allowing it to pay ultra-low tax rates.

Apple CEO Tim Cook blasted the decision as “political crap” and vowed to fight it. The case remains one of the largest corporate tax disputes in history, symbolising Apple’s aggressive approach to global taxation.