Cisco chief Chambers complains to Obama over NSA spying practices
Cisco chief executive John Chambers has complained to US President Barack Obama about the National Security Agency's spying practices, saying they were harming overseas business for US technology firms.
Cisco chief executive John Chambers has complained to US President Barack Obama about the National Security Agency's spying practices, saying they were harming overseas business for US technology firms.
"This issue affects an entire industry," the head of the telecoms equipment maker said in a letter.
Chambers referred in particular to recent media reports that the NSA had intercepted and modified IT and telecoms equipment on its way from manufacturers to customers.
We must ... respect the relationship of trust with our customers
One of the manufacturers was Cisco, which is a top supplier of networking equipment.
"If these allegations are true, these actions will undermine confidence in our industry and in the ability of technology companies to deliver products globally," Chambers warned.
"We simply cannot operate this way. We understand the real and significant threats that exist in this world, but we must also respect the industry's relationship of trust with our customers."
Chambers urged Obama to create new rules of conduct "to ensure that appropriate safeguards and limits exist that serve national security objectives, while at the same time meet the needs of global commerce".