Ukrainians Sue US Chip Firms for Enabling Russian Drone Attacks

Dozens of Ukrainian civilians filed a series of lawsuits in Texas this week, accusing some of the biggest US chip firms of negligently failing to track chips that evaded export curbs. Those chips were ultimately used to power Russian and Iranian weapon systems, causing wrongful deaths last year. Their complaints alleged that for years, Texas Instruments (TI), AMD, and Intel have ignored public reporting, government warnings, and shareholder pressure to do more to track final destinations of chips and shut down shady distribution channels diverting chips to sanctioned actors in Russia and Iran. According to the lawsuits, the chip firms' failure to implement effective controls allowed intermediaries to place bulk online orders with minimal scrutiny. Lead attorney Mikal Watts explained that all the intermediaries had to do to satisfy the chip firms was check a box confirming that the shipment would not be sent to sanctioned countries. Watts told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday, "This is a classic case of putting profits over human lives. Tech firms continued using high-risk channels without ever strengthening controls, despite public reporting, government warnings, and shareholder pressure." The lawsuits highlight the complex issue of export controls and the challenges of tracking the flow of high-tech components. The US government has imposed strict export controls on Russia and Iran, but the lawsuits allege that the chip firms failed to adequately implement these controls. The complaints also raise questions about the role of intermediaries in facilitating the diversion of chips to sanctioned countries. Background research suggests that the chip firms have been aware of the risks of their products being used to power Russian and Iranian weapon systems. In 2022, the US government imposed sanctions on several Russian companies involved in the production of drones and missiles. However, the lawsuits allege that the chip firms failed to take adequate steps to prevent their products from being used in these systems. Industry experts point out that the use of high-risk channels is a common practice in the tech industry, where companies often prioritize speed and cost over security and compliance. However, the lawsuits highlight the need for greater accountability and transparency in the supply chain. The current status of the lawsuits is unclear, but the filing of the complaints marks a significant development in the ongoing debate about the role of tech firms in the conflict in Ukraine. The lawsuits are likely to have significant implications for the chip industry, as well as for the broader debate about the responsibilities of tech firms in the face of conflict and human rights abuses. In a statement, a spokesperson for Texas Instruments said that the company is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations, including export controls. AMD and Intel have not commented on the lawsuits. The Ukrainian government has welcomed the lawsuits, saying that they demonstrate a commitment to holding tech firms accountable for their actions.