iPhone 16 Launch Disrupted by Protests in Various Cities, Urging to Boycott Apple

JAKARTA – The launch of the iPhone 16, which has been eagerly awaited in various parts of the world, was marked by protests at a number of Apple Stores in the United States and several other countries. The demonstrators, consisting of former and current Apple employees and human rights activists, called for a boycott of Apple products. They accused the company of being involved in the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the conflict between Gaza and Israel.

The protests were held in more than a dozen cities, including Tokyo, London, and New York, amid the excitement of the launch of the latest iPhone. The demonstrators claimed that Apple contributed to the violence in Congo and supported the conflict in Gaza through its business activities.

A demonstrator identified as "Lucy" in the Bristol Post report said that they were demanding that Apple be held accountable for its alleged involvement in what was called "genocide in Congo and Palestine."

Apple is accused of continuing to source minerals from Congo, such as gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten (often referred to as "3T") which are used in their products, including the iPhone. Although Apple reportedly cut ties with some suppliers in Congo in 2019, it continues to source raw materials and finished goods from other suppliers in the region.

Apple has also been accused of complicity in Israel, where it has its second-largest research and development center, which has been operating since 2015. In April 2024, around 300 Apple employees called on the company to do more to support the Palestinian community.

Lucy, one of the protesters, highlighted that militias backed by Uganda and Rwanda steal coltan from Congo and commit murder, rape, and enslave locals to mine the material in dangerous conditions. "Apple buys this coltan," she said. The armed conflict in Congo between the government and Rwandan-backed rebels has been ongoing since the 1990s.

This protest is also related to dissatisfaction with Apple's attitude in responding to the war in Gaza. In October 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed sympathy for the victims of the conflict, but after that there was no further response from the company. In November 2023, Apple temporarily closed the Slack channel used by Muslim and Jewish employees, which then caused controversy.

In addition, an incident in April 2024, in which an Apple Store employee in Chicago was fired for wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian garment, sparked a larger protest in front of the Lincoln Park Apple Store in Chicago. This action was spearheaded by a group called Apples4Ceasefire, which advocates for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Protesters at the iPhone 16 launch urged consumers to boycott Apple products and unsubscribe from services like iCloud+ and Apple Music in protest at Apple's alleged involvement in the humanitarian crisis in Congo and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.