Apple refreshes and expands commitment to human rights
Following concerns from its shareholders about Apple allegedly aiding China censorship, the company has published a formal document stating its commitment to upholding human rights.
Tim Cook says Apple is committed to human rights
While Tim Cook has said in front of the House of Judiciary that Apple supports human rights, the company has now formally stated its position in the form of its first-ever policy document on the topic. It comes after shareholders have pressured Apple, both in votes at shareholder meetings and via a petition.
"At Apple, we are optimistic about technology's awesome potential for good," says Cook in a statement at the start of the new document. "But we know that it won't happen on its own. Every day, we work to infuse the devices we make with the humanity that makes us."
The document, called "Our Commitment to Human Rights," is 1,400-word pledge about how Apple treats people and the way it sees technology's role in protecting human rights. It's chiefly a description of principles, but does include some more specific details.
"Our approach is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights," it says. "We conduct human rights due diligence to identify risks and work to mitigate them. We seek to remedy adverse impacts, track and measure our progress, and report our findings."
"We believe that dialogue and engagement are the best ways to work toward building a better world," it continues. "In keeping with the UN Guiding Principles, where national law and international human rights standards differ, we follow the higher standard. Where they are in conflict, we respect national law while seeking to respect the principles of internationally recognized human rights."
Tim Cook's quote at the start of Apple's new policy document
Apple's document does not give a reason for why it is being published now, but it does follow continued pressure from shareholders. According to Sondhya Gupta of the campaigning organisation SumOfUs, it has been published in order to beat Apple's own September 5 deadline for shareholders to submit motions ahead of next year's annual meeting.
She says that at the 2020 shareholders meeting, SumOfUs put forward a proposal against Apple's alleged cooperation with Chinese censorship, and 40.6% of shareholders voted against Apple to support it.
"Apple's adoption of a human rights policy is a breakthrough moment and we commend Apple for taking this first step," says Gupta. "However, we still have questions about how the policy will be implemented and what oversight there will be."
"We will continue to work alongside shareholders and human rights defenders in dialogue with Apple to ensure the company lives up to this responsibility," she continued.
SumoOfUs has been petitioning Apple for at least eight years. A previous petition from the organization had to be reworded following a false claim about working conditions in factories making Apple products.
Apple has not as yet commented publicly about its new policy document.
Tim Cook says Apple is committed to human rights
While Tim Cook has said in front of the House of Judiciary that Apple supports human rights, the company has now formally stated its position in the form of its first-ever policy document on the topic. It comes after shareholders have pressured Apple, both in votes at shareholder meetings and via a petition.
"At Apple, we are optimistic about technology's awesome potential for good," says Cook in a statement at the start of the new document. "But we know that it won't happen on its own. Every day, we work to infuse the devices we make with the humanity that makes us."
The document, called "Our Commitment to Human Rights," is 1,400-word pledge about how Apple treats people and the way it sees technology's role in protecting human rights. It's chiefly a description of principles, but does include some more specific details.
"Our approach is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights," it says. "We conduct human rights due diligence to identify risks and work to mitigate them. We seek to remedy adverse impacts, track and measure our progress, and report our findings."
"We believe that dialogue and engagement are the best ways to work toward building a better world," it continues. "In keeping with the UN Guiding Principles, where national law and international human rights standards differ, we follow the higher standard. Where they are in conflict, we respect national law while seeking to respect the principles of internationally recognized human rights."
Tim Cook's quote at the start of Apple's new policy document
Apple's document does not give a reason for why it is being published now, but it does follow continued pressure from shareholders. According to Sondhya Gupta of the campaigning organisation SumOfUs, it has been published in order to beat Apple's own September 5 deadline for shareholders to submit motions ahead of next year's annual meeting.
She says that at the 2020 shareholders meeting, SumOfUs put forward a proposal against Apple's alleged cooperation with Chinese censorship, and 40.6% of shareholders voted against Apple to support it.
"Apple's adoption of a human rights policy is a breakthrough moment and we commend Apple for taking this first step," says Gupta. "However, we still have questions about how the policy will be implemented and what oversight there will be."
"We will continue to work alongside shareholders and human rights defenders in dialogue with Apple to ensure the company lives up to this responsibility," she continued.
SumoOfUs has been petitioning Apple for at least eight years. A previous petition from the organization had to be reworded following a false claim about working conditions in factories making Apple products.
Apple has not as yet commented publicly about its new policy document.
Comments
https://www.sumofus.org/media/apple-increasingly-isolated-over-hong-kong-security-law-campaigners-warn/
https://www.sumofus.org/media/protesters-tell-apple-protect-free-speech-in-china/
https://www.sumofus.org/media/apple-adopts-landmark-new-human-rights-policy-following-shareholder-pressure/
prismatics said: Also regarding "it's only to serve the interest of business/shareholders" (paraphrasing) - Apple is already massively profitable, sure they could enhance their profitability by aping the status quo towards sourcing, energy, environment and human rights - but it's clear that Apple does have some amount of legitimate social morality. Samsung has extensively proven two things: that there are other ways to distract from a poor social record, and that if you set a good-enough price, the bulk of consumers won't care about what happens behind the scenes.
Steve Jobs had stated ad nauseam "Get out of this stock" to those that suggested Apple should be more profit driven.
For instance, bosses are often given bonuses based on performance; which are measured continuously. Meaning that as a boss you want these quarter goals to absolutely shine, even if that means that the company will take a hit a decade from now.
I understand also to block the fu*king Facebook spying on Apple customers, but seems that T. Cook cares more about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$......
Ignorance on parade. You forgot your sarcasm tag. Cook is killing the numbers, but has even more public positions on corporate values. Famously affirmed when he exclaimed “I don’t consider the bloody ROI!” when an investor complained about the cost of accessibility efforts.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2014/03/07/why-tim-cook-doesnt-care-about-the-bloody-roi/
Idiotic nonsense. Of course there are. Just because they aren’t recognized by all state actors doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Apple has a culture of shares values, and it’s free to manage to that culture of values. If it offends you, then get out of Apple and stop whining.
Jesus I see the cranks are on parade. Is it a full moon? Sorry but no, discussing an organization’s values, including human rights, gay rights, etc, does not mean one person (Cook) is using Apple as a political platform. You’re just trying to rationalize your form of unpopular opinion. Apple is and has always been a liberal place...As Jobs often said they’re the intersection of technology and liberal arts. Education, gay rights, HIV research, etc...nothing new for Apple. Just hard for crankpots to accept. Get out of Apple if you don’t like it. But you won’t.