business
Supreme Court kills suit claiming Cisco’s technology helped China persecute Falun Gong members
By Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted tech giant Cisco’s bid to shut down a lawsuit claiming that the company’s technology was used to persecute members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China.The justices ruled that American courts are the wrong forum for the suits, rejecting arguments made...
Key takeaway Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in her majority opinion that the justices “close the door” that the court slightly opened in 2004 when it suggested that some human-rights claims might be viable under the ATS.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The Supreme Court's decision to shut down a lawsuit against Cisco has significant implications for the Houston area, home to a substantial number of international businesses with operations in China. As a major hub for global trade and commerce, Houston's economy is closely tied to the activities of companies like Cisco, which have extensive international supply chains and partnerships. The ruling may embolden other companies to pursue business opportunities in China without fear of being held accountable in US courts for human rights abuses. This raises concerns for local residents who value corporate social responsibility and human rights, particularly in light of the city's diverse cultural and religious communities. The decision also underscores the complexities of doing business in countries with questionable human rights records, a challenge that many Houston-based companies will continue to face as they navigate the global marketplace.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted tech giant Cisco’s bid to shut down a lawsuit claiming that the company’s technology was used to persecute members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China.The justices ruled that American courts are the wrong forum for the suits, rejecting arguments made...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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