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 suit claims 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 remains tainted by conflict minerals, including cobalt, a key component in the company’s batteries. Although 99 % of the cobalt used in Apple’s batteries comes from recycled materials, the group contends that this does not guarantee a conflict‑free supply chain. The lawsuit also alleges that three Chinese smelters processed coltan—used in electronic devices—that was smuggled through Rwanda after armed groups seized mines in eastern Congo, linking these operations to Apple’s supply chain.
Apple has rejected the allegations as “baseless,” pointing to independent audits that 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 instructing 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 the alleged deceptive marketing practices.
This is not the first time International Rights Advocates has targeted Apple over its supply‑chain practices; a similar lawsuit filed last year was dismissed by US courts. The new case highlights the ongoing challenges tech companies face in ensuring their supply chains are free from conflict minerals and labour abuses. The use of conflict minerals in electronic devices has long been a concern, with many firms struggling to trace the origins of the minerals in their products. The Democratic Republic of Congo, a major producer of cobalt, has been linked to armed groups and labour abuses, and as demand for cobalt and other minerals grows, companies like Apple are under increasing pressure to ensure transparency and respect for human rights.
The outcome of the lawsuit is likely to be closely watched by the tech industry and human‑rights groups alike.
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