Finding computer hardware (components, laptops, smart phones, you name it) that is produced in an ethical way is astoundingly challenging. In my rathe

The challenge of sourcing ethical computer hardware

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2021-09-28 06:30:08

Finding computer hardware (components, laptops, smart phones, you name it) that is produced in an ethical way is astoundingly challenging.

In my rather strange career, I’ve worked at a few companies that were in the computer hardware business. Between that, and my time working as a Tech Journalist, I have never run across a computer hardware manufacturer that produces their gear in an ethical way.

Here are just a few ways that computer hardware — and I’m talking about all of it here… CPUs, memory, SBCs, assembled systems (like smart phones, game consoles, laptops, etc.) — tends to be highly unethical.

When thinking about the misery and sadness that computer hardware can bring into the world, let’s start with the raw materials used to build them.

And an absolutely staggering amount of that cobalt is mined by children, forced to work (and, often, die) in the cobalt mines in Africa. Tens of thousands of child slaves. Apple, Google, Tesla, Dell, and Microsoft have all been sued over this.