Apple, the world’s most valuable company, is facing a lawsuit brought against them by the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tech giant is being accused of profiting from the illegal mining of cobalt in the country.
Cobalt is a crucial component in the lithium-ion batteries used in Apple products such as iPhones and laptops. The mineral is predominantly mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is often extracted under dangerous and exploitative conditions.
The lawsuit alleges that Apple has benefited from the cheap cobalt sourced from these illegal mining operations, turning a blind eye to the human rights abuses and environmental damage caused in the process. The Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed that Apple’s actions violate international law and are contributing to the perpetuation of conflict in the region.
Apple has denied the allegations, stating that they have strict policies in place to ensure the responsible sourcing of materials used in their products. However, this is not the first time the company has come under fire for its supply chain practices, with previous reports of child labor and environmental violations in their supply chain.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for Apple and other tech companies that rely on cobalt sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It sheds light on the need for companies to closely monitor and address the human rights and environmental impacts of their supply chains.
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Video “Why is Apple being sued by the Democratic Republic of Congo? | Inside Story” was uploaded on 12/19/2024 to Youtube Channel Al Jazeera English