Apple Asks Former US Employees to Report COVID-19 Vaccination Status

(Photo by Engadget)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Apple has requested all employees in the United States to report their COVID-19 vaccination status.

According to Bloomberg and other sources on the 1st (local time), Apple sent a memo asking employees to report their vaccination status by the 17th, regardless of whether they are working remotely.

Apple explained that the vaccination data will be used to establish the framework for the company's COVID-19 response activities and regulations. They added that this information will be aggregated as collective data rather than personally identifiable information and maintained as a security matter, but this could change in the future.

Apple stated, "If Apple decides that this information is necessary to ensure a healthy and safe work environment or if such measures become mandatory, vaccination status may be used in a way that identifies individuals."

Apple has previously required employees in certain states such as California, Washington, and New Jersey to submit their vaccination status in accordance with local government regulations.

In the memo sent to employees, Apple said, "Our primary focus remains keeping our team members, their friends, families, and the entire community healthy."

Unlike other information technology (IT) companies such as Google, Apple has not mandated vaccination but recently launched a campaign encouraging employees to get vaccinated.

Earlier, Apple postponed the planned return of employees to the office from next month to January next year due to the spread of the Delta variant.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.