1st Ld-Writethru: Apple says customer data safe in Australian photo-sharing scandal

Apple has not found any evidence of its former employees misappropriating customers' data after a photo-sharing scandal was exposed at its Australian Brisbane store on Thursday.

An Apple spokesperson had confirmed the matter to Xinhua through a short statement, though refusing to comment on the number of staff that were sacked due to the incident.

"Apple believes in treating everyone equally and with respect, and we do not tolerate behavior that goes against our values," the spokesperson said.

"We are investigating a violation of Apple's business conduct policy at our store in Carindale, where several employees have already been terminated as a result of our findings."

"Based on our investigation thus far, we have seen no evidence that customer data or photos were inappropriately transferred or that anyone was photographed by these former employees."

"We have met with our store team to let them know about the investigation and inform them about the steps Apple is taking to protect their privacy."

It was earlier reported that staff at the Brisbane's Apple store have been fired after they were caught stealing and rating customers' pictures as part of a photo-sharing scandal.

News Corp reported on Thursday that dozens of photos were taken of female staff and customers while others were lifted from some Apple customers' phones, it has emerged.

The issue came to light after a staff member at the Carindale store noticed a technician looking through a customer's phone in the repair room.

One Apple staff member told News Corp that they were concerned that the "disgusting" practice was occurring at other stores.

As part of the scandal, it was reported that photos of both customers and staff were taken without their knowledge and their bodies were ranked from one to 10. Enditem