The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain. This groundbreaking legal action highlights concerns over systemic wrongdoing tied to the sourcing of tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T minerals), critical components in electronic devices like smartphones and computers.
The DRC, a major source of these minerals, has been plagued by violence fueled by competition for resources. Armed groups reportedly control artisanal mines, committing atrocities such as massacres, sexual violence, and looting, according to UN experts and human rights organizations.
While Apple maintains that its supply chain is free from conflict financing, citing annual audits and its 2023 conflict minerals filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, lawyers for the Congolese government allege otherwise. They argue that minerals pillaged in the DRC are laundered through international supply chains, implicating Apple in crimes against humanity.
The complaints, submitted to the Paris prosecutor’s office and a Belgian investigating magistrate, accuse Apple France, Apple Retail France, and Apple Retail Belgium of covering up war crimes, laundering tainted minerals, handling stolen goods, and misleading consumers about the integrity of their supply chain.
France and Belgium were chosen for the filings due to their strong emphasis on corporate accountability. The DRC’s legal team also underscored Belgium’s historical responsibility, referencing the colonial-era exploitation of Congo’s resources under King Leopold II.
A focal point of the complaints is ITSCI, an industry-funded certification scheme for 3T minerals. The DRC’s lawyers argue that ITSCI has been discredited, including by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), of which Apple is a member. Despite ITSCI’s suspension by the RMI, Apple allegedly continues to use it to portray its supply chain as clean.
The tech industry faces mounting scrutiny over its reliance on resources from conflict zones. Earlier this year, a U.S. federal court dismissed a separate case attempting to hold Apple, Google, Tesla, and others accountable for alleged child labor in Congolese cobalt mines.
The outcome of these legal actions could set a precedent for corporate responsibility in global supply chains and spotlight the human cost of technology.
Key Takeaways:
- The DRC accuses Apple of complicity in crimes tied to conflict minerals.
- France and Belgium were chosen for their strong legal frameworks on corporate accountability.
- Allegations focus on ITSCI’s traceability flaws and Apple’s reliance on discredited certifications.
- The case highlights broader concerns about human rights in the tech industry’s supply chain.
This case could mark a pivotal moment in the fight against exploitative mining practices and encourage more robust global oversight.
