Dell
Flagged · AvoidOne of the world's largest PC and enterprise technology companies, and a vocal opponent of right-to-repair legislation that would let consumers fix the devices they own.
Last updated May 20, 2026
↓ Skip to 2 ethical alternativesReasons to avoid
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- In January 2023, Dell won a U.S. foreign aid-funded contract worth over $150 million to supply servers, maintenance services, and equipment to the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Israeli military. Corporate accountability group Who Profits has documented Dell's broader ties to Israeli military infrastructure through subsidiaries including VMware and EMC Israel.
- GPS tracking research by the Basel Action Network found that Dell-branded electronics deposited at Goodwill locations were being shipped to Hong Kong and Pakistan for recycling, where workers handle toxic components including lead and mercury without adequate safety protections. The findings contradicted Dell's own stated policy banning e-waste exports to developing countries.
- In November 2024, Dell agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle Department of Justice allegations that it submitted non-competitive bids to the U.S. Army, creating a false appearance of competition to overcharge the government. The scheme involved Dell giving a partner reseller discounted rates while simultaneously submitting higher direct bids on the same Army contract solicitations.
- Dell's controlling stockholders, including founder Michael Dell and private equity firm Silver Lake, faced allegations that they breached their fiduciary duties to Class V shareholders during a 2018 stock conversion that shortchanged minority investors by billions of dollars. Dell agreed to a $1 billion settlement in 2022, the largest stockholder recovery in Delaware court history.
- A 2020 investigation by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute identified Dell as one of more than 80 global companies whose supply chains drew on Chinese government-mandated labor transfer programs targeting Uyghur and other Muslim minority workers in Xinjiang. Workers were reportedly transferred to factories supplying major tech brands under conditions that international labor standards classify as forced labor.
Ethical alternatives
Common Questions
- Is Dell ethical?
- Dell won a $150 million U.S. foreign aid-funded contract to supply servers to the Israeli military in 2023, and a 2020 investigation identified Dell's supply chains as drawing on Chinese government-mandated labor programs targeting Uyghur workers under conditions classified as forced labor. Dell also agreed to pay $1 billion in 2022 in the largest stockholder recovery in Delaware court history after minority shareholders were shorted during a 2018 stock conversion.
- Why should I avoid Dell?
- GPS tracking research found that Dell-branded electronics deposited at Goodwill were being shipped to Hong Kong and Pakistan where workers handle toxic lead and mercury without adequate protections, contradicting Dell's own stated policy. In 2024, Dell paid $2.3 million to settle DOJ allegations it submitted fake competitive bids to overcharge the U.S. Army.
- What are the best ethical alternatives to Dell?
- Framework makes modular, fully repairable laptops designed to reduce e-waste and extend device life. System76 offers Linux-based laptops and desktops that support open-source principles and user freedom. Both companies have far fewer documented labor and military supply chain controversies.