Nortel Networks Corporation

Canada

Nortel was a former Canadian telecommunications equipment manufacturer that played a major role in the telecommunications industry before filing for bankruptcy in 2009.

CCI Score

-37.80

0.03% April 18

Latest Event

Nortel Technology Threatens Human Rights in China

A report by Rights & Democracy reveals that Nortel Networks' OPTera technology is being deployed in China during the APEC Leaders Meeting in Shanghai, where it is allegedly used by Chinese security forces to enhance surveillance and suppress political dissent, contributing to human rights violations.

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TOADIE

Nortel Networks Corporation is currently rated as a Toadie.

-30 to -44 CCI Score

Companies scoring in this range actively seek to please authoritarian regimes. They offer proactive support and assistance in exchange for preferential treatment, compromising ethical standards for business gains and political favor.

Latest Events

APR

01

2025

Nortel Technology Threatens Human Rights in China
-79.62

A report by Rights & Democracy reveals that Nortel Networks' OPTera technology is being deployed in China during the APEC Leaders Meeting in Shanghai, where it is allegedly used by Chinese security forces to enhance surveillance and suppress political dissent, contributing to human rights violations.
-80

Provision of Repressive Technologies

March 27

The report highlights that Nortel Networks' OPTera technology, designed for commercial telecommunications, is being repurposed in China for surveillance and repression of political dissidents. This involvement in providing repressive technology effectively supports state censorship and authoritarian practices, thereby raising serious human rights concerns.

Nortel Technology Threatens Human Rights in China
JUL

02

2024

Nortel Networks Controversial Involvement in Tibetan Railway Project Accused of Human Rights Violations
-46.17

A 2024 report highlights Nortel Networks Corporation's involvement in a high-altitude Chinese railway project in Tibet, which is alleged to be part of a broader development system contributing to human rights violations. This involvement raises serious questions about the company's ethical practices and complicity in supporting projects that undermine human rights.
-50

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 27

The report accuses Nortel Networks of participating in a high-altitude railway project in Tibet, a development that is described as contributing to human rights violations. Such involvement reflects a disregard for ethical business practices and indicates complicity in supporting projects that facilitate authoritarian outcomes. This negative action falls under Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility, warranting a significantly negative score.

Canadian firms accused of violations abroad
SEP

28

2009

Nortel Networks' Involvement in China's Repressive Surveillance Technology
-16.87

Nortel Networks has been implicated in providing critical surveillance technologies in China, including speech recognition systems for monitoring telephone conversations, video surveillance capabilities through JungleMUX, and integrated face and voice recognition technology. These initiatives have helped build a sophisticated state surveillance apparatus, drawing strong criticism from human rights organizations for facilitating authoritarian repression.
-80

Technology and Services Impact

March 27

Nortel Networks' collaboration in developing and deploying surveillance technologies in China demonstrates a concerning alignment with repressive state practices. Their joint research with academic institutions for speech recognition, involvement in large-scale network monitoring projects, and integration of biometric systems have been leveraged by the Chinese government to suppress dissent and violate human rights. Such actions directly contribute to an authoritarian surveillance state.

Canada: Nortel Helps Build China's Surveillance Technology
DEC

01

2002

Nortel Networks' Role in Enabling China's Cyber Censorship
-8.52

Nortel Networks was reported to have provided technology that enabled the Chinese government to track citizens' internet usage and facilitate state censorship, contributing to authoritarian practices.
-80

Technology and Services Impact

March 27

According to the Journal of Law, Technology and Policy as highlighted in the article, Nortel Networks contributed to equipping China with technology that aids in monitoring and censoring internet traffic. This involvement directly supports repressive state surveillance and censorship, thereby playing a role in undermining free speech and facilitating authoritarian control.

U.S. corporations should stop being complicit in China's cyber censorship – News Bureau