Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Cisco Systems
The Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Cisco Systems assisted China in targeting members of the Falun Gong movement. This ruling may influence corporate accountability for international human rights violations. (sources: nytimes, theguardian)
The Supreme Court's decision concludes a lawsuit claiming that Cisco Systems provided technology that enabled the Chinese government to surveil Falun Gong practitioners. This ruling limits the application of a federal law regarding corporate liability for human rights abuses abroad.
- The lawsuit alleged that Cisco developed technology for the Chinese government to surveil Falun Gong members.
- The Supreme Court's ruling further restricts the scope of a federal law used to hold corporations accountable for international human rights abuses.
- The decision may influence future cases involving corporate liability in human rights matters.
Why it matters
The ruling could set a precedent for how companies are held liable for their involvement in human rights issues internationally.
↓ Congress can act on this
6 bills on this issue are moving right now — and the most active one is HR2683: Remote Access Security Act.
HR2683 · 119th Congress
Remote Access Security Act
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What HR2683 actually does
This story is about Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Cisco Systems. This bill would let Commerce control “remote access” to items on the Commerce Control List, not just physical export or transfer.
If passed, it would:
- let Commerce control “remote access” to items on the Commerce Control List, not just physical export or transfer • explicitly cover risks tied to spyware, location tracking, and biometric identification used to undermine human rights.
5 other bills moving on this issue
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This story is about Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Cisco Systems. This bill would establish a DHS Transnational Repression Working Group.
If passed, it would
- establish a DHS Transnational Repression Working Group • require annual assessments and information-sharing on incidents and attempted incidents of transnational repression.
This story is about Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Cisco Systems. This bill would require DHS training for state and local officials on identifying and responding to transnational repression.
If passed, it would
- require DHS training for state and local officials on identifying and responding to transnational repression • require community awareness briefings and victim-support information for targeted communities.
This story is about Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Cisco Systems. This bill would require an interagency strategy on transnational repression.
If passed, it would
- require an interagency strategy on transnational repression • require assessment of spyware exporters, data brokers, and exporters whose items can be used for human-rights abuses.
This story is about Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Cisco Systems. This bill would prohibit licenses for exports, reexports, or in-country transfers of advanced integrated circuits to or in foreign.
If passed, it would
- prohibit licenses for exports, reexports, or in-country transfers of advanced integrated circuits to or in foreign • require congressional briefings before technical thresholds are modified.
This story is about Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Cisco Systems. This bill would require controls on covered U.S. technology and IP exports, reexports, and transfers to China.
If passed, it would
- require controls on covered U.S. technology and IP exports, reexports, and transfers to China • sanction persons who knowingly provide or buy covered U.S. technology tied to those transfers.