A US-based advocacy group, International Rights Advocates, has filed a lawsuit against Apple in Washington, alleging that the tech giant’s supply chain is linked to conflict minerals and labour abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The lawsuit claims that Apple’s products contain cobalt and other minerals tied to child labour, forced labour, and armed groups, despite the company’s assertions that it has strict sourcing rules in place.
The advocacy group argues that Apple’s supply chain is still tainted by the use of conflict minerals, including cobalt, which is a key component in the company’s batteries. The group points to the fact that 99% of the cobalt used in Apple’s batteries comes from recycled materials, but claims that this does not necessarily mean that the company’s supply chain is free from conflict minerals. The lawsuit also alleges that three Chinese smelters processed coltan, a mineral used in electronic devices, that was smuggled through Rwanda after armed groups seized mines in eastern Congo, and links them to Apple’s supply chain.
Apple has rejected the allegations, describing them as “baseless” and arguing that independent audits have found no evidence of the company financing armed groups or using forced labour. The company maintains that it has taken steps to address concerns about conflict minerals, including telling suppliers to stop sourcing from Congo and Rwanda as fighting escalated this year.
The lawsuit accuses Apple of misleading consumers and seeks an injunction to stop alleged deceptive marketing practices. The case is not the first time that International Rights Advocates has targeted Apple over its supply chain practices. A similar lawsuit was filed last year, but was dismissed by US courts. The new lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges faced by tech companies in ensuring that their supply chains are free from conflict minerals and labour abuses.
The use of conflict minerals in electronic devices has been a longstanding concern, with many companies struggling to track the origin of the minerals used in their products. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a major producer of cobalt, and the mineral has been linked to armed groups and labour abuses in the region. As the demand for cobalt and other minerals continues to grow, companies like Apple are under increasing pressure to ensure that their supply chains are transparent and free from human rights abuses. The outcome of the lawsuit is likely to be closely watched by the tech industry and human rights groups.