Apple VP Behind Activity Rings Retiring After Misconduct Claims

Apple's vice president of fittingness technologies Jay Blahnik volition discontinue this summer, bringing to an extremity a 13-year stint with Apple that was marred by accusations that helium created a toxic enactment situation and sexually harassed an employee.


In an email to employees this week, Apple said Blahnik, 57, volition discontinue successful July "to walk clip with his household and marque an breathtaking determination to New York City," according to The New York Times.

Blahnik joined Apple successful 2013 aft 2 decades arsenic a advisor astatine Nike. He played a cardinal relation successful processing the Apple Watch's iconic Activity rings (the 3 colored circles that users adjacent regular by exercising, standing, and burning calories) and aboriginal oversaw Fitness+, Apple's subscription workout work featuring video classes for spot work, HIIT, cycling, meditation, yoga, and more.

His enactment of the Fitness+ squad nevertheless drew superior complaints. In an August 2025 study by the Times, 9 existent and erstwhile employees accused Blahnik of being "verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate." More than 10 of the astir 100 employees connected his squad had sought extended intelligence wellness oregon aesculapian leaves of lack since 2022, the study said.

Apple settled 1 ailment alleging intersexual harassment by Blahnik and is presently defending him successful a abstracted suit brought by worker Mandana Mofidi, who accused him of bullying. That lawsuit is scheduled to spell to proceedings adjacent year.

When employees raised concerns astir Blahnik's conduct, Apple initiated an interior probe and recovered nary grounds of wrongdoing, truthful Blahnik remained successful his role. At the time, Apple spokesperson Lance Lin called the NYT study afloat of "many inaccurate claims and mischaracterizations," but didn't specify which claims the institution disputed.

It's unclear who volition win Blahnik astatine Fitness+. Meanwhile, the aboriginal of Fitness+ is itself said to beryllium "under review," according to Bloomberg, with services main Eddy Cue seemingly "considering changes" to the service.

Apple Fitness+ launched successful 2020. In the U.S., the work costs $9.99 per period oregon $79.99 per year. Apple Fitness+ is besides disposable arsenic portion of the Apple One Premier bundle, with U.S. pricing acceptable astatine $37.95 per month.
This article, "Apple VP Behind Activity Rings Retiring After Misconduct Claims" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

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