I have no idea why they are calling this a “massive” operation, as only 22 people are allegedly involved, but a number of Apple employees who worked in direct marketing and outsourcing for Apple in China have been caught selling information for 10 ($1.50) to 180 yuan ($26.50). That doesn’t sound like a lot, but they supposedly sold so much data that the scam ended up being worth 50 million yuan ($7.36 million).



Chinese authorities say they have uncovered a massive underground operation run by Apple employees selling computer and phone users’ personal data. Twenty-two people have been detained on suspicion of infringing individuals’ privacy and illegally obtaining their digital personal information, according to a statement Wednesday from local police in southern Zhejiang province. Of the 22 suspects, 20 were Apple employees who allegedly used the company’s internal computer system to gather users’ names, phone numbers, Apple IDs, and other data, which they sold as part of a scam worth more than 50 million yuan (US$7.36 million.

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Source: [H]ardOCP – Underground Network of Apple Employees Caught Selling Customers’ Personal Data