05-30-2021, 08:14 PM
Before I start - I would also like to express that everything I mention in the following is not a comment on Pine or their work so far. As much as they try, they are unable to tackle all concerns at all times - they are human like us all.
I'm not sure, but it's a good question. Similarly with other devices too.
I'm sure 90% of hardware hackers would happily pay 10% more if it in some way helped prevent such a situation as slave labor or other awful practices. Slapping a label on the product that says "the components for this device were sourced ethically" is a major selling point.
During this slow supply-chain period I think it makes sense to inspect the supply more deeply anyway.
There are also some considerations:
1. It may not be possible to source these parts from elsewhere, either due to unavailability (global chip shortage) or the fact they are only made in these places. If anything, during this time is the absolute worst to being picky about which suppliers you would like to use.
2. I suspect there would be compromise on price for an alternative supplier. You can't get your overheads any cheaper than free labor. (That's not to say that it should stop anybody from trying.)
3. If the market realizes that people are avoiding 'slave labor parts', they'll simply transport them to another province and pretend they were made there under different paperwork, especially if they can fetch a higher market price as a result.
4. Despite telling a manufacturer to use a specific part in a specific device, you cannot guarantee this is actually done unless you pay somebody to overlook the entire process. You get employees pocketing parts, parts being mangled in the build process, parts not arriving on time and being substituted to keep the production line going, etc.
On top of the slave labor concern, you have the one of backdoors being added in the silicon itself. We already see things like Intel ME allowing low-level access to the CPU, and as processors get even more complex, in theory it could become even easier to sneak something in. What's the bet that something similar now exists for ARM? I imagine the chances are high.
For now the options seem limited, but I would still appreciate some discussion about this from Pine and potentially a future roadmap where devices can be more ethical.
(05-30-2021, 08:45 AM)MirceaKitsune Wrote: Does the Pinephone rely on parts produced in China, particularly in regions or by manufacturers suspected of using slave labor?
I'm not sure, but it's a good question. Similarly with other devices too.
I'm sure 90% of hardware hackers would happily pay 10% more if it in some way helped prevent such a situation as slave labor or other awful practices. Slapping a label on the product that says "the components for this device were sourced ethically" is a major selling point.
During this slow supply-chain period I think it makes sense to inspect the supply more deeply anyway.
(05-30-2021, 08:45 AM)MirceaKitsune Wrote: And if so, is there no way to replace some of those supply chains, without having to sacrifice the amazing price the Pinephone is offered to us at?
There are also some considerations:
1. It may not be possible to source these parts from elsewhere, either due to unavailability (global chip shortage) or the fact they are only made in these places. If anything, during this time is the absolute worst to being picky about which suppliers you would like to use.
2. I suspect there would be compromise on price for an alternative supplier. You can't get your overheads any cheaper than free labor. (That's not to say that it should stop anybody from trying.)
3. If the market realizes that people are avoiding 'slave labor parts', they'll simply transport them to another province and pretend they were made there under different paperwork, especially if they can fetch a higher market price as a result.
4. Despite telling a manufacturer to use a specific part in a specific device, you cannot guarantee this is actually done unless you pay somebody to overlook the entire process. You get employees pocketing parts, parts being mangled in the build process, parts not arriving on time and being substituted to keep the production line going, etc.
On top of the slave labor concern, you have the one of backdoors being added in the silicon itself. We already see things like Intel ME allowing low-level access to the CPU, and as processors get even more complex, in theory it could become even easier to sneak something in. What's the bet that something similar now exists for ARM? I imagine the chances are high.
For now the options seem limited, but I would still appreciate some discussion about this from Pine and potentially a future roadmap where devices can be more ethical.