Apple (AAPL.US) is being sued by employees for allegedly monitoring employees' personal devices and stifling speech.

Apple (AAPL.US) employee Amar Bhakta has sued the company, claiming it forces employees to give up their privacy and monitors them even at home. Bhakta claims Apple forced him to remove work-related information from his LinkedIn page and barred him from speaking publicly about the digital advertising industry. Apple also requires employees to use Apple devices during work hours and encourages them to use Apple products on their personal devices. Once employees handle work-related content on personal devices and iCloud accounts, Apple demands they agree to the company monitoring all data, including emails, photos, videos, notes and more. The lawsuit states: "Apple's surveillance policies and practices suppress employee whistleblowing, competition, employee mobility in the job market, and free speech, thereby unlawfully restricting those freedoms." Apple later denied all the accusations, stating the employee referenced strategies that apply to "Apple-managed or owned" devices, and no company would allow unauthorized devices into its network that stores privileged information. Apple is also facing at least three complaints from the National Labor Relations Board, alleging it illegally blocked employees from discussing gender and pay discrimination with each other and the media, including restricting their use of social media and workplace messaging app Slack. The company denies any wrongdoing. The lawsuit was filed under the California False Claims Act. If Apple loses, it may be required to pay Bhakta and all affected employees a fine.