Apple is reportedly working on ending its relationship with iPhone camera module supplier O-film after learning the company had been using forced labor.
In July, the U.S. Department of Commerce added O-Film to its list of companies implicated in human rights violations against Uighur Muslim minorities.
The Elec reports Apple is only continuing to source cameras for older iPhone models, suggesting Apple may be biding its time until it can secure a replacement supplier for the components.
O-film Tech is believed to supply about 10% of Apple’s camera modules and that number has declined over the last four years. LG InnoTek is said to supply about around 50% of what Apple needs for the iPhone, and Sharp fulfills about 30% of demand.
Apple has reportedly been lobbying for changes to The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The company proposed extending compliance deadlines, releasing certain supply chain information to Congress and not the public, and requiring Chinese entities to be “designated” by the U.S. government as helping to surveil or detain Uighurs in Xinjiang.
Apple denies that is the case, saying the Cupertino company has the strongest supplier guidelines in the industry, and that it regularly audits all of its supply chain partners.
(Via AppleInsider)
