UPDATE: Oct. 13, 2016, 2:44 p.m. AEDT In a statement, Apple said its investigation had so far found no evidence customer data was stolen from phones in the Carindale store.

"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.

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

Apple employees at a store in Queensland, Australia are alleged to have stolen intimate images from customer phones and rated photos of female staff and clients based on their appearance.

According to the Courier-Mail, staff at a store in Carindale had a "photo-sharing ring," swapping pictures taken of other female staff and customers and rating them out of 10.

"More than 100 close-up and explicit photos were taken of female staff and customers without their knowledge and photographs were also lifted from some Apple customers’ phones," the publication reported.

Four male employees are said to have been fired over the incident, which emerged when a staff member saw another employee looking at a customer's phone in the repair room. An "overseas HR executive" has also reportedly been brought in.

"One person would take a photo and add it to the chat and others would give the person or their butt or their boobs a rating out of 10 and they would add their own side commentary," a staff member told the newspaper.

In a statement the Courier Mailsays it was provided, Apple said it was investigating the matter.

"Apple believe in treating everyone equally and with respect and we do not tolerate behaviour that goes against our values," it 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."

Mashablereached out to Apple's head office and the Carindale store for comment but did not hear back prior to publication. Queensland police have also been contacted for comment.

This is not the first Australian Apple store incident that has caused headlines. In Nov. 2015, Apple issued a public apology after a group of teenagers accused an employee of making racist comments at an Apple store in Melbourne.

The six Australian teenagers who had been born in Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Eritrea and Egypt were asked to leave the store after a staff member told them they might steal something.

"We believe in equality for everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation," an Apple spokesperson said at the time.