I notice your review of the Huawei P10 smartphone (theguardian.com, 20 April) makes no reference to the manufacturer’s policy concerning sourcing the materials used in production. I’m sure your product reviewers are all very aware that minerals such as gold, which are used in mobile phone production, can come from mines that use slaves. Furthermore, the mercury and cyanide used in gold extraction have a devastating environmental and human impact.
Despite the fact that it is not, as yet, the norm in technology reviews in the press, I strongly encourage you to take the lead and highlight in your reviews whether or not producers ensure that no slave labour is used in any part of their supply chain. Reference to the environmental cost of production and post-use product recycling policy would also be welcome.
By including this information as standard in your reviews you would be taking a valuable positive step in reducing demand for products that contribute to slavery, and so causing producers to abandon unethical supply practices.
Jonathan Shave
Bolzano, Italy
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