To an extent, sure, much in the same way if you're buying something on Craig's List and you think it's probably stolen (even if you can't prove it) but it's a great price, that you may ethically decide not to support the seller on the principle of it.
The fact is, if this is happening with Apple, it's likely happening with everyone else because Apple is probably the most responsible and vocal when it comes to Supplier Responsibility.
Now, while I do believe Cook does care about such things, and also feel this is part of the core of Apple's values, this responsibility should not be seen as altruism in business.
Dude, are you serious by comparing this to Craigslist? If Apple buy batteries from a contractor and this contractor stole their products from someone, then yes, Apple are responsible for that. This is a business with contract black and white on paper which nothing says about who this company must hire. To the US, underaged workers are illegal, but not in other countries. So, using US policies on other countries are totally bullshit. I grew up in a third world countries where teenagers as young as 11-12 are considered in labor force.
1) Yes, I am, in my example of doing the right thing.
2) Their contractor did steal, and now that this has come out there will be pressure for them to change their ways, and Apple may still drop them as a supplier. Why do you think that's wrong?
3) If Apple's contractors don't like the terms Apple expects, they don't have to do business with them. That's one of the beautiful things of a free market system. Why are you so against Apple having a highly detailed and public Suppler Responsibility sheet? I think this is a good thing and applaud Apple for it. I think you need to reconsider your subjective stance that because you are up in a certain environment that Apple should be OK with it themselves.
I imagine that Apple's attempts to get their suppliers to behave responsibly is an ongoing battle. Now that this situation has been highlighted, then let's see how long it takes Apple to take steps to sort it out.
Just Apple, mind; because of course, none of the other companies using the same suppliers need to bear the same level of responsibility, according to the AI headline.
and who the fuck cares? So, if Apple buy battery from this manufacturer, Apple are responsible for their labor hires? What the fcuk is that? If I eat rice imported from Vietnam, I'm responsible for these 12-14 year-old farmers who work 10 hrs+ a day back in the countryside in Vietnam? BS.
Gee, little Mikey Campbell once again throwing only Apple under the bus with his defamatory headline. Are you desperate for a some clicks Mikey? Numbers down this month?
Cheap, biased, and just wreaking of an obvious agenda.
Did anyone complaining about the headline click on any of the links? The Amnesty article didn't have Apple in the headline, and the BBC article named Apple, Sony and Samsung, so you can hardly say Apple is being singled out. The only headline that only name checked Apple is the one on AppleInsider, how dare they report with an Apple bias!
Well done Amnesty for exposing this. Anyone complaining about the politics of this should be sent to work down a cobalt mine.
Just Apple, mind; because of course, none of the other companies using the same suppliers need to bear the same level of responsibility, according to the AI headline.
Bullshit. The headline stated relevancy for this site. It's absolutely accurate. There is no implication that Apple is the only one named in the report, only inference and your FUD.
There is no bait and switch. I bet all the whiners wouldn't even mention Apple's name if the headline said Samsung instead of Apple, and they'd have a field day with Sammy.
The headline give us relevancy and the very first paragraph expands and explains that Apple isn't the only company on the list.
If the situation were closer to home and it was discovered that US children were being used as child labor these same whiners (well most of them) would be appalled, outraged, and incensed.
Apple SHOULD do something about this, if they are involved, and I imagine they will. They won't solve the problem and they won't save the world. But just as they reduced the amount of non-recyclable content in their product, and worked to improve working conditions for their suppliers employees, maybe they can be part of the solution as well as the problem. All the other companies participating in the practice should do the same.
There are no easy answers, but the choice is simple. Follow your conscience, and vote with your wallet. At the very least have the courage to be honest about your actions or inactions and their consequences.
I only use lithium batteries using materials mined by child labor, because it makes liberals very upset. I actually seek out these batteries and will pay extra for them.
They're totally worth it, because the battery life is usually at least 5-8% greater than on normal batteries, mined by adults. The science of metal (metallurgy for any liberals out there) is a bit too complex to quickly describe here, but basically the cobalt is of a finer consistence when mined by child laborers, and it makes for a better end product.
On a more serious note, this whole report is probably BS, and why should anybody take it seriously, when we have seen what has taken place in the past? There are Mike Daiseys everywhere.
I only use lithium batteries using materials mined by child labor, because it makes liberals very upset. I actually seek out these batteries and will pay extra for them.
They're totally worth it, because the battery life is usually at least 5-8% greater than on normal batteries, mined by adults. The science of metal (metallurgy for any liberals out there) is a bit too complex to quickly describe here, but basically the cobalt is of a finer consistence when mined by child laborers, and it makes for a better end product.
On a more serious note, this whole report is probably BS, and why should anybody take it seriously, when we have seen what has taken place in the past? There are Mike Daiseys everywhere.
That because their fingers are smaller and when the scratch is from the ground it is much more fine material.
As someone else already pointed out, no seem to be too worried about all the child labor happen on farms around the world, think about the rice you eat. Even in the US children are force to work on family farms from day the can begin to walk. Hell look at Tony Beats on the Gold Rush show, he made his kids work his goal mining operations since they were little kids. Even Parker was working on his Grandfathers mine from a young age, Notice how Discovery channel did not show him until he turn 18 and same for Tony's kids. They did not want to promote kids working and making Millions.
Just Apple, mind; because of course, none of the other companies using the same suppliers need to bear the same level of responsibility, according to the AI headline.
Bullshit. The headline stated relevancy for this site. It's absolutely accurate. There is no implication that Apple is the only one named in the report, only inference and your FUD.
There is no bait and switch. I bet all the whiners wouldn't even mention Apple's name if the headline said Samsung instead of Apple, and they'd have a field day with Sammy.
The headline give us relevancy and the very first paragraph expands and explains that Apple isn't the only company on the list.
If the situation were closer to home and it was discovered that US children were being used as child labor these same whiners (well most of them) would be appalled, outraged, and incensed.
Apple SHOULD do something about this, if they are involved, and I imagine they will. They won't solve the problem and they won't save the world. But just as they reduced the amount of non-recyclable content in their product, and worked to improve working conditions for their suppliers employees, maybe they can be part of the solution as well as the problem. All the other companies participating in the practice should do the same.
There are no easy answers, but the choice is simple. Follow your conscience, and vote with your wallet. At the very least have the courage to be honest about your actions or inactions and their consequences.
Your correct, vote your wallet. They attack Apple, who is one of the few companies doing anything about this. So you come down on Apple by not buying their products or you can give your money to some no name company who is not in the sights of headline grabbers. You can say with some high level of certainty they are the ones using the materials from these mine, but at least you and everyone else does not know for sure so you have plausible deniability of knowing so your conscience will be intact.
Instead of these headline grabber coming after a company who is actually trying to do the right thing, they should be highlighting the competitors of companies of Apple and say we should vote our wallets against them. All these idiots are doing is making people feel bad about a generally good company and letting the problem company ship by. These other companies usually benefit from the work Apple is doing, You go Apple policing Foxconn as an example, and they clean up their act, and all the other companies who use Foxconn benefits and did not have to do a thing, they waits until Apple sent their people in and media attacked Apple and the got most of benefit for no effort.
Huh, so everyone at Amnesty International that uses a smartphone that happens to use a battery has been supporting child labor? That's what I'm getting from this.
Instead of these headline grabber coming after a company who is actually trying to do the right thing, they should be highlighting the competitors of companies of Apple and say we should vote our wallets against them. All these idiots are doing is making people feel bad about a generally good company and letting the problem company ship by. These other companies usually benefit from the work Apple is doing, You go Apple policing Foxconn as an example, and they clean up their act, and all the other companies who use Foxconn benefits and did not have to do a thing, they waits until Apple sent their people in and media attacked Apple and the got most of benefit for no effort.
It's very noble how your first thought is about Apple's bottom line rather than the pragmatic impact of the action taken against employment condition problems. Apple are obviously the real victim of these do-gooders doing good.
Just Apple, mind; because of course, none of the other companies using the same suppliers need to bear the same level of responsibility, according to the AI headline.
Bullshit. The headline stated relevancy for this site. It's absolutely accurate. There is no implication that Apple is the only one named in the report, only inference and your FUD.
Bullshit yourself. The headline said 'Apple battery suppliers' when in fact these batteries are supplied to other companies including Apple. The headline belongs in the toilet, a bit like your mouth. If you can't see a clickbait headline when it slaps you in the face then I can't help you.
Instead of these headline grabber coming after a company who is actually trying to do the right thing, they should be highlighting the competitors of companies of Apple and say we should vote our wallets against them. All these idiots are doing is making people feel bad about a generally good company and letting the problem company ship by. These other companies usually benefit from the work Apple is doing, You go Apple policing Foxconn as an example, and they clean up their act, and all the other companies who use Foxconn benefits and did not have to do a thing, they waits until Apple sent their people in and media attacked Apple and the got most of benefit for no effort.
It's very noble how your first thought is about Apple's bottom line rather than the pragmatic impact of the action taken against employment condition problems. Apple are obviously the real victim of these do-gooders doing good.
Nobility doesn't come into it. If the press calls out Apple then they should call out everyone. That way it is everyone's responsibility to fix the problem, and not just one company. If Apple shifts 10% of the products using these batteries and the rest of the industry shifts the other 90% then you've scored a nice headline, but you've left most of the problem unsolved.
This kind of exploitation is an industry-wide problem (which means Apple and others – not just Apple). It should be headlined as such.
There is, in the Netherlands, a phone that really tries to not use precious metals farmed by children. Check it out, it is good fun: www.fairphone.com.
and who the fuck cares? So, if Apple buy battery from this manufacturer, Apple are responsible for their labor hires? What the fcuk is that? If I eat rice imported from Vietnam, I'm responsible for these 12-14 year-old farmers who work 10 hrs+ a day back in the countryside in Vietnam? BS.
Let's send your kids there cool?
U ain't know shit there, so stfu. People living in US don't know shit about other countries' policy. Yes, I grew up there and yes I was in labor force at the age of 12. Their house, their rules... Apple can bring their business somewhere else if they can afford higher cost or back to US with 10x more labor cost + benefits and deal w lawsuits, unions...fuck that, I want affordable iPhone...you don't?
U ain't know shit there, so stfu. People living in US don't know shit about other countries' policy. Yes, I grew up there and yes I was in labor force at the age of 12. Their house, their rules... Apple can bring their business somewhere else if they can afford higher cost or back to US with 10x more labor cost + benefits and deal w lawsuits, unions...fuck that, I want affordable iPhone...you don't?
Comments
2) Their contractor did steal, and now that this has come out there will be pressure for them to change their ways, and Apple may still drop them as a supplier. Why do you think that's wrong?
3) If Apple's contractors don't like the terms Apple expects, they don't have to do business with them. That's one of the beautiful things of a free market system. Why are you so against Apple having a highly detailed and public Suppler Responsibility sheet? I think this is a good thing and applaud Apple for it. I think you need to reconsider your subjective stance that because you are up in a certain environment that Apple should be OK with it themselves.
Just Apple, mind; because of course, none of the other companies using the same suppliers need to bear the same level of responsibility, according to the AI headline.
They're one of the biggest companies in the world. That's why they are used in instances like this. Makes perfect sense.
Well done Amnesty for exposing this. Anyone complaining about the politics of this should be sent to work down a cobalt mine.
There is no bait and switch. I bet all the whiners wouldn't even mention Apple's name if the headline said Samsung instead of Apple, and they'd have a field day with Sammy.
The headline give us relevancy and the very first paragraph expands and explains that Apple isn't the only company on the list.
If the situation were closer to home and it was discovered that US children were being used as child labor these same whiners (well most of them) would be appalled, outraged, and incensed.
Apple SHOULD do something about this, if they are involved, and I imagine they will. They won't solve the problem and they won't save the world. But just as they reduced the amount of non-recyclable content in their product, and worked to improve working conditions for their suppliers employees, maybe they can be part of the solution as well as the problem. All the other companies participating in the practice should do the same.
There are no easy answers, but the choice is simple. Follow your conscience, and vote with your wallet. At the very least have the courage to be honest about your actions or inactions and their consequences.
They're totally worth it, because the battery life is usually at least 5-8% greater than on normal batteries, mined by adults. The science of metal (metallurgy for any liberals out there) is a bit too complex to quickly describe here, but basically the cobalt is of a finer consistence when mined by child laborers, and it makes for a better end product.
On a more serious note, this whole report is probably BS, and why should anybody take it seriously, when we have seen what has taken place in the past? There are Mike Daiseys everywhere.
As someone else already pointed out, no seem to be too worried about all the child labor happen on farms around the world, think about the rice you eat. Even in the US children are force to work on family farms from day the can begin to walk. Hell look at Tony Beats on the Gold Rush show, he made his kids work his goal mining operations since they were little kids. Even Parker was working on his Grandfathers mine from a young age, Notice how Discovery channel did not show him until he turn 18 and same for Tony's kids. They did not want to promote kids working and making Millions.
Your correct, vote your wallet. They attack Apple, who is one of the few companies doing anything about this. So you come down on Apple by not buying their products or you can give your money to some no name company who is not in the sights of headline grabbers. You can say with some high level of certainty they are the ones using the materials from these mine, but at least you and everyone else does not know for sure so you have plausible deniability of knowing so your conscience will be intact.
Instead of these headline grabber coming after a company who is actually trying to do the right thing, they should be highlighting the competitors of companies of Apple and say we should vote our wallets against them. All these idiots are doing is making people feel bad about a generally good company and letting the problem company ship by. These other companies usually benefit from the work Apple is doing, You go Apple policing Foxconn as an example, and they clean up their act, and all the other companies who use Foxconn benefits and did not have to do a thing, they waits until Apple sent their people in and media attacked Apple and the got most of benefit for no effort.
Bullshit yourself. The headline said 'Apple battery suppliers' when in fact these batteries are supplied to other companies including Apple. The headline belongs in the toilet, a bit like your mouth. If you can't see a clickbait headline when it slaps you in the face then I can't help you.
This kind of exploitation is an industry-wide problem (which means Apple and others – not just Apple). It should be headlined as such.
Of course.