Apple
Apple Card called out for being sexist as male customers receive higher credit limits
“We don’t have transparency on how these companies set these things up and operate.” – Steve Wozniak, in an interview with Bloomberg.
Recently, Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak and serial tech entrepreneur David Heinemeier Hansson had an exchange on Twitter talking about the Apple Card.
The two men, along with their wives, Janet Hill and Jamie Hansson, respectively, signed up to use it. However, as Bloomberg reported, they found something rather – how do you say – problematic about their credit limits.
The same thing happened to us. I got 10x the credit limit. We have no separate bank or credit card accounts or any separate assets. Hard to get to a human for a correction though. It's big tech in 2019.
— Steve Wozniak (@stevewoz) November 10, 2019
Build software without devs. Blazingly fast. Trusted by 100,000+ teams worldwide. It's so easy, anyone can use it. Start building now.
"Just Write Your Damn Book Already” is a printable guidebook that helps you turn ideas into manuscripts. It’s affordable and perfect for aspiring authors
When a user signs up for the Apple Card, an algorithm will generate the limit which has led to this ongoing backlash.
Both Wozniak and DHH received 10x and 20x the credit limit on their Apple Card applications
However, the state of New York is currently investigating Goldman Sachs, the bank the card is connected to. The inquiry will be examining the bank’s credit card issuing services and whether they are issuing them based on gender.
Linda Lacewell, Superintendent of New York State Department of Financial Services, released a blog on Medium detailing their stance on the issue.
New York law prohibits discrimination against protected classes of individuals, which means an algorithm, as with any other method of determining creditworthiness, cannot result in disparate treatment for individuals based on age, creed, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or other protected characteristics.
The Apple Card was introduced last summer. Cardholders can even purchase a new iPhone through a financing plan.
As of this writing, Apple has not commented on this issue.
What do you think? Surprised by the findings? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.
Editors’ Recommendations:
- YouTube can now remove channels that aren’t “commercially viable”
- Check your Instagram, the company is now testing hiding likes in the US
- The CDC might have just figured out the cause of all these vaping deaths
- Facebook’s much-anticipated News tab is slowly rolling out – Here’s what it looks like
Follow us on Flipboard, Google News, or Apple News
Buying Guide
The best Steam Deck accessories (2023)
Buying Guide
The best wireless earbuds (2023)
