Google, Microsoft and Tesla are facing a lawsuit over the deaths of child cobalt miners. The lawsuit, filed by the International Rights Advocates, accuses the tech giants of aiding and abetting the deaths and injuries of children working in dangerous conditions in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The lawsuit alleges that the tech companies knew or should have known about the dangerous conditions in cobalt mines but failed to take action to stop the human rights abuses. Cobalt is a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles.
The International Rights Advocates is seeking damages for the victims and their families, as well as an injunction to stop the tech companies from continuing to benefit from the alleged human rights abuses in the cobalt supply chain.
Tech companies have faced increasing scrutiny over their supply chains in recent years, with a focus on human rights abuses and environmental impact. This lawsuit highlights the need for companies to take responsibility for the impact of their products throughout the supply chain.
