Tech Giant Cisco in Hot Water Over China's Human Rights Abuses

Key Points

• Two U.S. lawmakers, Reps. Chris Smith and John Moolenaar, are urging the Supreme Court to allow a lawsuit against Cisco to proceed.
• The lawsuit claims Cisco's technology was used to harm Falun Gong practitioners in China.
• Lawmakers want the Trump administration to support the plaintiffs, arguing that Cisco's tech aided China's surveillance and persecution efforts.

Cisco's Defense

• Cisco argues that U.S. law does not permit such lawsuits, claiming it is being unfairly targeted for legal exports.
• The company states that the case involves U.S. foreign policy, making the administration's stance crucial.
• The Supreme Court will decide whether the case can proceed.

Background of the Lawsuit

• The lawsuit has been ongoing for over a decade.
• In 2008, leaked documents revealed that Cisco saw China's "Golden Shield" project as a business opportunity.
• The project aimed to track and suppress Falun Gong, with Cisco's own presentations labeling Falun Gong as a "threat" and promoting technology to identify and track its members.

Legal Debate

• The case hinges on whether U.S. companies can be held liable for human rights abuses abroad.
• Cisco claims it is not responsible under the Alien Tort Statute or the Torture Victim Protection Act.
• However, a federal appeals court disagreed, allowing the lawsuit to continue.

Broader Implications

• The debate over U.S. tech sales to China is intensifying.
• Some advocate for stricter controls, while others fear it could boost China's tech industry.
• The Cisco case could set a precedent for future lawsuits against American companies.