Republicans urge Trump administration to back Falun Gong lawsuit against Cisco

Two Republican lawmakers are urging the Supreme Court to allow a lawsuit against Cisco to proceed, alleging the company's technology aided the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. The lawmakers, known critics of China's human rights record, cited an AP investigation highlighting American tech companies' role in China's surveillance state. The Supreme Court is considering whether to hear the case, seeking input from the solicitor general on the U.S. government's position. Cisco argues the suit shouldn't proceed due to its impact on U.S. foreign relations. The lawsuit, dating back to 2011, claims Cisco tailored technology for China, knowing it would be used to track and persecute Falun Gong members. Cisco denies liability under the Alien Tort Statute and the Torture Victim Protection Act, yet a federal appeals court allowed the case to continue in 2023. The Supreme Court's decision will determine if American companies can be held liable for human rights abuses facilitated by their technology overseas. This case is intertwined with broader debates about the sale of U.S. technology to China and its national security implications. This case touches on whether U.S. companies can be held liable for their tech's role in human rights abuses abroad.