GUANGZHOU, China, July 22, 2009
Worker Commits Suicide over Missing iPhone
Chinese Man Jumped off Building after Losing a Prototype
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A Chinese security guard patrols the entrance of a Foxconn Technology Group plant in Shenzhen city in 2008. A Foxconn employee committed suicide after misplacing an iPhone. (AP PHOTO)
There's tremendous pressure on employees dealing with Apple's new products to maintain secrecy over the gadgets.
The 25-year-old man worked in product communications at Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwanese firm that makes many Apple products.
Although Apple and Foxconn have confirmed the suicide, they haven't provided details about the circumstances.
A newspaper says the worker was responsible for sending iPhone prototypes to Apple, and on July 13 he reported that he was missing one of the 16 fourth-generation units in his possession. The paper quotes his friends as saying security guards searched his apartment, detained him and beat him, and that he later jumped from the 12th floor of his apartment building.
Apple says it's "saddened by the tragic loss" and that its suppliers are required to treat workers with dignity and respect.
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- tool hat off to ye. It is true we don't understand other nations and their honour system, America needs to step up to the plate and learn from others. I am sad that gent jumped to his death. They need to understand when he told the truth to back off. I don't understand the treatment of nation where the govt thinks for its people. I don't nelieve the man would tske the phone and get someone did. I like the fact there is a nation that bans stipping. It is plain nasty. Everywhere in America they spit. The beatting is uncalled for. I do like reading older peoples says as they have lived thru it. I am 54. America has her issues that need to be dealt with. It is worse to day. It is sad a person died over a phone. Hope they find the person who did lift it.
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- Jumped from a 12 story apt building? Right!...lol
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- Most Americans have a hard time understanding that honor codes are taken very seriously in many countries. My son worked at a theme park in Japa for three months. Employees would go into a large room where envelopnes with their names on them containing cash for two weeks of work were left unprotected. Apparently, Japanese honor codes kept people from stealing other people's money. In Singapore, people do not chew gum or spit on the street. Not only is it illegal, but their honor codes prevent them from doing these things. Japanese military offices would commit suicide if they lost a battle. Again, most Americans don't understand these things or think they are foolish.
- "by rhs648 July 22, 2009 9:31 PM EDT
Most Americans have a hard time understanding that honor codes are taken very seriously in many countries"
That is 'our' loss. I hate it. I was born before WWII and understand real 'honor'. It hasn't existed in American culture since WWI. I doubt it will ever be here again.....
- Regarding the "Honor Thing"..i get it..really I do..but my life or anyone else's is not worth a FRIGGIN iPHONE!!!!! And the fact is ...Apple is gonna come out with a better one in about...oh..ONE YEAR!!!! Give me a real item to DIE FOR..like my Freedom and the Constitution!!! DUE PROCESS...by the way..for all you commenters..if you want to know who the enemy is...it's THOSE who do not give you YOUR DUE PROCESS!!!! Republican OR Democrat..or local law enforcement or judical system!!!
- This is sick!!!..Why are secrets overseas???? and why are they beating their employees????
1984 is ******'' here..and who thought APPLE Was behind it!!!!!! - Reply to this comment
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- Yeaaahhhh... riiiight. Apple epitomizes the 1984 philosophy... and Microsoft doesn't, right? Notice how the Microsoft anti-trust suits were suddenly no longer pursued under the Unelected One.
- Where do you come up with unelected one? The demoncrats are the ones that don't want people to have to show any kind of identification to vote. Republicans are all for it. Demoncrats are the inventors of election fraud.
- What do you mean..you need an ID to vote? and democrats are involved in voter fraud??? man! did you miss the past 8 years or what??!!! what planet where you on? Even "Ur Anus" knew the Republicans pulled off the biggest voter heist in the history of the United States???? AND rigged a bunch of electronic booths!!! It's called VOTERGATE..you can see it all on YouTube!!!
- "The paper quotes his friends as saying security guards searched his apartment, detained him and beat him, and that he later jumped from the 12th floor of his apartment building."
Apparently workers' rights have not caught on in China. A little more deregulation, and we might have the same thing in the U.S. - Reply to this comment
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- "by TheMasses2009
We're practically there!
Sieg Heil Maobama!"
Wait, don't you mean Sieg Heil von Bush? What about when Mr. "Compassionate Conservative" and his cronies subverted the Constitution of this country, over and over again without shame, starting with the Un-Election? Don't forget, the Patriot Act is VERY scarily similar to the Enabling Act of Germany in the 30's, as was the comparison of Bush's rise to Hitler's. Fortunately, our democracy was (barely) strong enough to hold them off.
Nazi's hated communists, and vice versa. So Sieg Heil, Mao(fill in the blank) is a ridiculous statement from a historical context, and equally ridiculous is this accusation that "socialism is coming" from all you right-wing blowmonkey nutjobs.
Sorry, but what's happening right now is that we're retreating from fascism.
- "by TheMasses2009
