Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 3 hrs ago
Apple removes store subscription target after consent allegations
Consumer advocate Louis Rossman accused some Apple Store employees of starting subscription trials without customers’ informed consent.
The allegations concern Apple Stores in the United States, where employees can show customers offers for services such as Apple TV and Apple One.
Some trials renew as paid subscriptions unless customers cancel before they end.
Employees were reportedly encouraged by a target that called for sign-ups from 40% of customers at some stores, and some allegedly pressed the acceptance button themselves.
Apple removed the sign-up metric and reminded staff to get customer consent.
Apple said the metric was less relevant during the holiday shopping season, while a staff memo also stressed respecting customer privacy.
The company’s actions address the concerns, but their connection to Rossman’s videos is unclear.
Louis Rossmann alleged that some Apple Store employees signed customers up for subscription trials without informed consent.
The trials can automatically become paid subscriptions if customers do not cancel before they end.
Employees were reportedly given a 40% target for subscription sign-ups at some U.S. stores.
Apple removed the employee subscription metric early last week and later reminded retail staff to obtain customer consent.
Apple said the metric was less relevant during the holiday season, while MacRumors said it could not determine whether Rossmann’s videos also influenced the actions.
- Who
- Louis Rossmann raised the allegations about some Apple Store employees. Apple removed a staff subscription metric and issued a reminder to employees.
- What
- Employees allegedly activated subscription trials without customers’ informed consent. Apple removed the sign-up metric and reminded staff to obtain consent.
- When
- The reports were published on November 9, 2026. The metric was removed early last week, and Apple issued a memo later in the week.
- Where
- Apple Stores in the United States.
- Why
- Rossmann said a 40% sign-up target encouraged the alleged practice. Apple’s stated explanation for removing the metric was that it was less relevant during the holiday season.
Apple
Louis Rossmann and sources describing alleged employee conduct
Metric removal
Apple
Apple’s explanation was that the metric was less relevant during the holiday season.
Louis Rossmann and sources describing alleged employee conduct
Rossmann’s reports linked the metric to alleged pressure on employees to sign customers up without informed consent.
Employee conduct
Apple
Apple reminded employees to respect customer privacy and obtain consent.
Louis Rossmann and sources describing alleged employee conduct
Rossmann and tipsters alleged that some employees activated trials without adequately explaining them or obtaining consent.
Louis Rossmann shared a series of YouTube videos alleging that some Apple Store employees signed customers up for subscription trials without informed consent.
Apple removed the services attach rate metric for employees.
Apple issued an internal memo reminding retail employees to respect customer privacy and obtain consent.
Apple’s holiday shopping season kicked off.
9to5Mac and MacRumors published reports on the allegations and Apple’s response.
- Alleged target
- 40% of customers assisted with a device purchase at some U.S. stores
- Metric
- Services attach rate
- Advocate who raised allegations
- Louis Rossmann
- Example trial
- Three months of Apple TV with an iPhone purchase
- Publication date
- November 9, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Yes, I saw some specialists press on behalf of the customer. So, they are hitting agree. They are signing the customer up to something without actually having the customer click okay, hit okay, or provide express consent.