Hi Padraig,
# Decarraig [2017-07-17 20:51 +0200]:
I have been following various discussions on android@lists.fsfe.org and I am wondering if FSFE has any policy on ethical issues with mobile phones e.g. Conflict mining, cobalt mining etc ?
No, to my knowledge, we don't have a policy on that. But if we had, it would probably be "The more ethical, the better".
We are experts when it comes to ethical software, but I doubt we have enough expertise to evaluate the many granular issues of certain minerals and the often dubious circumstances in which they are produced – not to speak of the labour conditions in which mobile phones are manufactured. This is a field large and complicated enough for dozens of NGOs.
However, many of us appreciate initiatives like Fairphone, and we will continue to help them to improve the freedom of their software (and users).
Best, Max