New York Attorney General (and Democratic candidate for governor) Andrew Cuomo is investigating complaints that Apple stores in SoHo and at 14th Street refused to sell iPads to people of Asian descent.
Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) tipped off the AG’s office after two Chinese-American constituents complained that they were being discriminated against when they tried to buy an iPad.
“One person was asked why they needed to purchase an iPad when their English was not perfect,” said Meng. “In another incident, someone was asked for their passport, which has nothing to do with buying or using an iPad.”
Neither customer was able to purchase the device, said Meng, who said she thinks Apple was concerned about people reselling the iPad in China, where it is not yet available.
“These are just average New Yorkers who want an iPad for recreational use; they weren’t trying to buy five iPads,” said Meng. “I understand the concerns they have about people trying to sell the iPad in other countries, but it’s not their job to target the concerns based on the way someone looks.”
Calls to Apple were not returned.
