Apple has reiterated its commitment to responsible sourcing, asserting that its products, such as iPhones and iPads, do not contain conflict minerals sourced from armed groups in Africa. In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple stated that its responsible minerals sourcing program mandates annual independent audits for all smelters and refiners in its supply chain. The company claims that as of December 31, 2025, there was no evidence that any of these entities financed armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Despite this, Apple has faced significant scrutiny, including legal complaints and protests alleging that it uses conflict minerals. Notably, a lawsuit from International Rights Advocates in November 2025 accused three Chinese smelters listed as suppliers of processing coltan smuggled through Rwanda. Furthermore, protests in September 2024 highlighted claims of human rights abuses linked to coltan mining in the DRC. Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct has also been questioned by the DRC government, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its sourcing practices.