US group sues Apple over Congo conflict minerals

DAKAR/LONDON: A U.S.-based advocacy group has filed a lawsuit in Washington accusing Apple of using minerals linked to conflict and human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda despite the iPhone maker’s denials.

International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) previously filed a lawsuit against tech firms including Tesla, Apple and other companies over cobalt sourcing, but U.S. courts dismissed that case last year. French prosecutors also dropped Congo’s case against Apple subsidiaries in December over conflict minerals, citing lack of evidence.