Apple and Ethics
My fiancé’s mp3 player died last month, and mine is on its last legs1. Since my lady love is a bit of a technophobe, I started looking into iPods. One of the first stories I ran across when I was looking into them was about the suicide of Sun Danyong – an employee of one of Apple‘s suppliers. The guy had apparently lost an iPhone prototype and then been subjected to a week of abuse at the hands of his employer, Foxconn. He then committed suicide.
When I buy stuff, I try to keep to the ethically made goods. I buy fair trade when possible, and I avoid products that don’t have a fair trade option. But because iPods have a reputation for usability and my sweetie deserves the best, I crafted this letter to Apple’s PR contacts.
Dear Ms. Cotton and Mr. Atkins,
I’m in the market for a new MP3 player. Before I buy an Apple gadget, I’d like to know what Apple is doing to ensure that its suppliers are treating their workers well. The ongoing coverage of Sun Danyong’s abuse and subsequent suicide has me reconsidering Apple products.
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I don’t expect Apple to get a TransFair certification any time soon, but I can at least ask if they’re doing anything.
- I don’t recommend Creative Labs Zens. When shifting off of “Lock” mine occasionally cranks the volume to 100% or 0% percent and locks up. Alternately painful or annoying. (back)
