Cisco Poised to Help China Keep an Eye on Its Citizens

"The project sheds light on how Western tech companies sell their wares in China, the Middle East and other places where there is potential for the gear to be used for political purposes and not just safety."

Because, of course, Western governments never use this kind of gear for political purposes and not just safety.

Re: Cisco Poised to Help China Keep an Eye on Its Citizens

#6

Post by fexl » Tue, Jul 05, 2011, 4:28 PM UTC

bigwally wrote: post #4

I am sure Cisco has helped many countries build its police state.

This gives new meaning to their motto: "Cisco: The Human Network".

Re: Cisco Poised to Help China Keep an Eye on Its Citizens

#7

Post by bproper » Tue, Jul 05, 2011, 4:37 PM UTC

vabole wrote: post #3

unreal37 wrote: post #2

Original article behind a paywall.

Here is the copy: http://pastebin.com/9DfwQfdc

You can also jump WSJ paywall with a quick copy paste of article title into Google search.

Re: Cisco Poised to Help China Keep an Eye on Its Citizens

#8

Post by dfj225 » Tue, Jul 05, 2011, 4:41 PM UTC

> Should companies be held accountable if foreign governments use their products for political suppression?

How could a company be responsible for something like a computer, which is capable of doing an infinite number of things? If America feels that strongly about the human rights violations going on in China, I feel that the only way to prevent American made technology from being used in that fashion is to prevent the sale of all technology to China. I'm not saying this is the right thing to do, but it doesn't seem possible to expect technology companies to police how their tech is used in foreign countries.

Re: Cisco Poised to Help China Keep an Eye on Its Citizens

#9

Post by cafard » Tue, Jul 05, 2011, 4:48 PM UTC

Given that China seems to be turning itself into Singapore, one wonders why News Corp. is troubled. An authoritarian business-oriented state ought to be something it could adapt to nicely.

Re: Cisco Poised to Help China Keep an Eye on Its Citizens

#10

Post by CWuestefeld » Tue, Jul 05, 2011, 5:57 PM UTC

dfj225 wrote: post #8

> Should companies be held accountable if foreign governments use their products for political suppression? How could a company be responsible for something like a computer, which is capable of doing an infinite number of things? If America feels that strongly about the human rights violations going on in China, I feel that the only way to prevent American made technology from being used in that fashion is to prevent…

How could a company be responsible for something like a computer, which is capable of doing an infinite number of things?

I don't think that anyone is saying that Cisco would be responsible. But that's no reason to make things easier for the despots. If they're working with Cisco, it's either because Cisco can do it better or cheaper. Wouldn't someone with a conscience desire to make it either less effective for China, or make them pay more dearly, for such a system?

If America feels that strongly... prevent the sale of all technology to China

How does "America" feel anything? We're a nation of individuals, we do not all feel in unison, or even in agreement. That is why, when somebody feels something, they need to take whatever action they can themselves -- and that includes the Cisco management, board, and stockholders. Conversely, because the government cannot speak for the morals and values of any particular American, regulations like you suggest will always be purely political efforts, easily co-opted by special interests.