A U.S.-based advocacy group, International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates), has filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging that the tech giant continues to use minerals cobalt, tin, tantalum and tungsten tied to human‑rights abuses, forced labour and armed group exploitation from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Rwanda despite public denials. The complaint filed in Washington, D.C. does not seek monetary damages; instead, it demands a court declaration that Apple violated consumer‑protection laws and calls for an injunction to end allegedly deceptive marketing practices regarding its supply‑chain ethics.
According to the lawsuit, research (including a recent academic study) links three Chinese smelters said to be in Apple’s supply chain to minerals successfully traced back to conflict‑ridden mines in eastern DRC, regions known for child labour and violence tied to armed groups.
Apple, for its part, states that it has no reasonable basis to believe any such smelters currently in its supply chain finance armed groups. The company notes that 76% of the cobalt used in its products in 2024 was recycled, though IRAdvocates disputes the effectiveness and transparency of Apple’s sourcing audits.
Given DRC’s major role as a global provider of these critical minerals used in batteries, phones and electronics this lawsuit could pressure the broader tech industry to tighten supply‑chain transparency and accountability if courts side with the plaintiffs
