The impact was felt across most of northern China. Measurements of the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded the hazardous level for particles associated with airborne sand and dust.
This is not the first time Apple's supply chain has been linked to alleged forced labour from the Xinjiang region, said the The Washington Post which first reported the TTP findings this week.
Alibaba did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment but the Times report said the function was only used in a testing capacity and was never offered beyond that.
The UN is “failing to speak out about the situation in Xinjiang, failing to demand access in a meaningful way and to investigate these very serious and credible allegations.”
"I established a campaign for Uyghurs. All because of my activism, and just because I was very vocal about what is happening in my homeland, my sister and my aunt were abducted."