Cisco chief writes to Obama to decry NSA activities
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 tech firms.
"This issue affects an entire industry," the head of the telecom equipment maker said in a letter dated Friday obtained by AFP.
Chambers referred in particular to recent media reports that the NSA had intercepted and modified IT and telecom equipment on its way from manufacturers to 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.