Slashdot Mirror


Chinese Employee Loses iPhone Prototype, Kills Self

tlhIngan writes "Physical intimidation of a Foxconn employee, 25 year-old Sun Danyong, and a possibly-illegal search of his house may have led to suicide after an iPhone prototype in his possession was lost. Foxconn is Apple's long-time manufacturing partner for the iPhone. Entrusted with 16 iPhone prototypes, Danyong discovered that one was missing and searched the factory for it. When it didn't turn up, he reported the incident to his boss, who ordered his apartment searched. There are reports of physical intimidation by Foxconn security personnel. This ended tragically on Thursday at 3 AM, when Danyong jumped from his apartment building to his death." VentureBeat notes that "Apple exerts immense pressure on its business partners [to] help it maintain secrecy." An Apple spokesperson said this to CNet: "We are saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee, and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death. We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect."

3 of 514 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Poor guy... by LunaticTippy · · Score: 5, Informative

    I had the same misconception but it is easily dispersed.

    According to this the top 7 are not Asian. China is way down there, below France, Poland, Switzerland, Uruguay.

    Country, Male Suicide per 100k, Female suicide per 100k, total pop suicide per 100k, year
    Lithuania 68.1 12.9 38.6 2005
    Belarus 63.3 10.3 35.1 2003
    Russia 58.1 9.8 32.2 2005
    Slovenia 42.1 11.1 26.3 2006
    Hungary 42.3 11.2 26.0 2005
    Kazakhstan 45.0 8.1 25.9 2005
    Latvia 42.0 9.6 24.5 2005
    Japan 34.8 13.2 23.7 2006

    I assumed the suicide rate would be much higher in Asia, but I guess it is just reported more or happens in more high-profile cases or something.

    --
    Man, you really need that seminar!
  2. Re:Poor guy... by vishbar · · Score: 5, Informative

    Oddly enough, China is #1 for highest percentage of female suicide.

    --
    Ride the skies
  3. Re:Culture of Secrecy by Bill+of+Death · · Score: 5, Informative

    False. The four pairs of New Balance shoes currently in my house were all made in China.