Major Tech Company Accused of Persecuting Chinese Religious Group Falun Gong

In the United States, all companies must adhere to strict prohibitions against religious discrimination. But do these prohibitions still apply if the allegedly persecuted individuals live in a different country while practicing a faith that most Americans have never heard of? This is a question the Supreme Court will have to answer, as American tech company Cisco has been accused of persecuting the Chinese religious group known as “Falun Gong.”

Tech Giant Accused of Building Surveillance State That Targets Religious Minorities

In early January of 2026, it was reported that the Supreme Court had agreed to hear an appeal by Cisco, one of the biggest tech companies in the country, which was trying to avoid a lawsuit regarding religious discrimination. According to the allegations, this Cisco helped China spy on and persecute members of the Falun Gong “spiritual movement” by building its famous surveillance state from the ground up. 

This story has been developing since 2025, when a notable report exposed the tech giant’s involvement in the design and construction of China’s surveillance systems. This system is collectively known as the “Golden Shield,” and the tech company allegedly saw the project as a golden opportunity to cash in.

Falun Gong Lawsuit over a Decade Old 

Fully aware that the Chinese government viewed Falun Gong as “evil,” Cisco committed itself to helping the regime track down and identify members of this spiritual movement. Falun Gong first sued the tech company back in 2011, going as far as to accuse the company of helping the Chinese torture these religious individuals. 

It is often difficult to bring foreign governments to justice in US courts. This is despite the fact that (as of this writing), the US government is trying to bring a Venezuelan leader to justice in a New York court. Nevertheless, the success of this Falun Gong lawsuit will hinge on whether the tech company is legally required to follow the country’s age-old prohibition against religious discrimination while acting on behalf of a foreign government in a different country. 

The Relevant Statutes

The two relevant laws are the Alien Tort Statute and the Torture Victim Protection Act, which both could theoretically hold US entities accountable for actions on foreign soil. Of course, there is also the Constitution to consider. This document clearly states that people should be free to practice whatever faith they like, free from persecution or favoritism. Although there are virtually no legal penalties for a company violating the Constitution, one might argue that this kind of conduct is inherently un-American. 

Putting aside the constitutional argument, the revelations involved in this lawsuit are stunning. US politicians often criticize China for its lack of freedoms, its persecution of minority groups, its censorship, and its “mass-surveillance” systems. If the allegations in this lawsuit are true, it would seem that the US private interests built this mass-surveillance state and raked in the profits. This would make it harder for politicians to criticize China’s mass surveillance state going forward if American corporations built it.

The Goal of the Universal Life Church’s Blog

Each month, various lawsuits test the nature of religious rights in this country. While the basis for many religious rights is the United States Constitution, there are still countless cases that question the exact nature of these rights. The Universal Life Church’s blog is focused on documenting the most noteworthy of these cases in an objective manner that can be easily understood by readers.