iLounge

Dick Durbin, a United States Senator from the state of Illinois and Assistant Senate Majority Leader, has asked a group of 30 U.S. companies, including Apple, for more information on their business practices in China. Reuters reports that the request was spurred by Google’s decision to cease cooperation with Chinese Internet censorship programs. “Google sets a strong example in standing up to the Chinese government’s continued failure to respect the fundamental human rights of free expression and privacy. I look forward to learning more about whether other American companies are willing to follow Google’s lead,” Durbin said in a statement. Apple’s 2009 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report (PDF Link) notes that while the company’s products and components are manufactured by a wide variety of suppliers around the world, the final assembly of most products occurs in China. The report states that of the 83 facilities audited, 97% of the core issues assed were in compliance with Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct. More information on Apple and its relationship with suppliers and manufacturing partners can be found on the company’s Supplier Responsibility page.