Apple faces iPhone 18 controversy and boycott calls

Apple is facing scrutiny regarding its iPhone 18 launch, involving both digital authenticity controversies and humanitarian protests.

Following social media claims that a promotional photo of BLACKPINK's Rosé holding an iPhone 18 Pro was AI-generated, the singer and Apple have clarified the image's origin. Rosé stated in an interview on The Zane Lowe Show that while retouching was used to correct finger positioning and remove fingerprints, the device itself was real. Apple Senior Vice President Greg Joswiak confirmed the authenticity of the hardware.

Simultaneously, humanitarian activists, including the group Team Congo, have called for a boycott of the iPhone 18. The protest targets the exploitation of mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the mining of cobalt and tantalum is linked to child labor, hazardous conditions, and the funding of armed conflicts. Activists are encouraging consumers to use older devices or refurbished models to reduce demand for illegally sourced minerals. Apple has responded by stating it maintains strict audit standards for suppliers and has instructed them to suspend purchases of certain minerals from conflict-affected areas where independent verification is difficult.