DRC Sues Apple Over Conflict Minerals Allegations

The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple's subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the company of using conflict minerals sourced from regions controlled by armed groups. The complaints allege that Apple is involved in laundering minerals from Congo, covering up war crimes, and misleading consumers about its supply chain practices. Congo, a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten, claims that Apple's supply chain is tainted despite the company's assertions of conducting thorough audits and maintaining a clean supply chain. The legal focus is on ITSCI, a monitoring scheme criticized for its ineffectiveness, which Congo's lawyers argue Apple uses to falsely represent its supply chain as ethical. The judicial authorities in France and Belgium will determine whether to investigate further and potentially bring charges. Apple's defense highlights its compliance with the Responsible Minerals Initiative and a reported absence of financing armed groups by its suppliers.