Chinese complaints of discrimination when buying iPad at the Apple store

Since May, there have been frequent complaints of discrimination on the part of the Apple Store against Asian customers who sought to purchase the iPad. These complaints quickly got the attention of State Assemblymember Grace Meng (D-District 22) and State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the governor-elect. On November 9, Meng’s office received complaints from residents over the phone. Two representatives from the Civil Rights Bureau were present at Meng’s office when the complaints were called in.

Because the investigation is still ongoing, the attorney general’s office was unable to discuss any details of the case; however, the attorney general’s office did provide a questionnaire for consumers to gather information about the situation.

Once aware of the alleged discrimination, Meng immediately sent a letter to the Apple Store strongly suggesting that the Apple Store offer a response to the recent and repeated complaints from Asian customers alleging discrimination. In addition, the Apple Store must answer to the attorney general and to the Department of Consumer Affairs.

According to Meng, to date her office has received ten complaints. Customers have alleged that the Apple Store staff refused to sell to them one or more iPads by claiming that the products were sold out, among other reasons. Furthermore, the Asian customers claimed Apple staff questioned them about the reason they wished to purchase the iPad, how they would use it, and how they would pay for it. Some staff even requested to see the Asian customers’ driver licenses and passports.

Meng has indicated that as soon as these allegations were made known to the Apple Store, she received a prompt call from the company wishing to find out more about the situation. She believed that the central office was not aware of what the employees were doing in the individual stores. She hopes that from now on, when Apple releases new items, such discrimination will not be repeated. She encourages consumers who face similar discrimination to come forward and to provide evidence.

By Fang Meng, World Journal, 9 October 2010. Translated from Chinese by Connie Yik Kong.

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