Activists disrupt Apple’s iPhone 17 launch in mall with boycott call

A group of protesters staged a demonstration outside the Apple Store in The Exchange TRX mall yesterday.

This is a part of their call for a boycott against the tech giant’s products, amid their alleged complicity in global crimes.

The flash mob was held concurrently with the launch of the new iPhone 17 at the store, which is the first and only official Apple Store in Malaysia.

According to a video uploaded by Malaysian Daily Protest for Palestine on Instagram, the gathering of about 20 people could be heard chanting slogans advocating for Palestine and Congo’s freedom.

The group were also seen singing modified lyrics, hitting out at the American company to the tune of "Do You Hear the People Sing?", an iconic song from the renowned musical, Les Misérables.

Several individuals believed to be security personnel and store employees appeared to attempt to snatch a wide cloth banner held by the group, but were unsuccessful.

The group is understood to have dispersed peacefully after their protest.

‘Don’t just follow trends’

In a separate post today, the Malaysian Daily Protest for Palestine account said it supports the protest, urging the public to realise that “big corporations are complicit in humanitarian crises around the world”.

“Don’t just follow trends and take pride in new gadgets when in reality, your money is contributing to the deaths of oppressed people!” it added in the caption.

The post also detailed a list of Apple’s supposed transgressions, one of which is that Apple has a research and development centre in the occupied East Jerusalem, which has been accused of violating international laws prohibiting settlement activities.

“Apple’s technology has been linked to Israel’s Pegasus spyware, which was used to surveil Palestinian journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in violation of fundamental freedoms.

“On Oct 9, 2023, Apple publicly declared that it ‘stands with Israel,’ disregarding the documented war crimes and genocide, (while) under its chief executive officer Tim Cook, Apple has matched employee donations to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and organizations supporting illegal settlements,” it claimed.

It also asserted that there have been credible reports of Apple firing Palestinian and pro-Palestinian employees and suppressing internal expressions of solidarity with Gaza.

‘Conflict minerals’

Additionally, it referenced the criminal complaints filed in France and Belgium by the Democratic Republic of Congo against Apple’s subsidiaries, which are accused of using conflict minerals.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Congolese government have reportedly argued that Apple is complicit in crimes committed by armed groups that control some of the mines in the east of the Central African country.

Apple, however, said it "strongly disputes" the claims and that it is "deeply committed to responsible sourcing" of minerals.

The Instagram post claimed the sourcing of the minerals, including cobalt, is linked to child labour, environmental destruction, and the financing of armed violence.

“Investigations by Amnesty International and The Guardian confirmed that Apple’s cobalt supply chain is connected to artisanal mines where children and pregnant women work in hazardous conditions.

“These practices contribute to ongoing human rights violations and instability in the region,” it argued.

The advocacy group further urged the public to boycott new Apple devices and instead expand the lifespan of already-purchased devices through third-party repairs.

Besides calling for a cancellation of paid Apple services, such as iCloud+, Apple Music, and Apple TV+, it also said people should demand transparency from Apple regarding its alleged misdeeds.

It added that governments should be pressed to enact and enforce strict due diligence laws on technology imports and supply chains, with penalties for human rights violations.

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