Several Ukrainian civilians have filed groundbreaking lawsuits in Texas, accusing major US semiconductor firms of negligence in monitoring chip exports. These chips, allegedly diverted through risky channels, ended up powering Russian and Iranian military systems, leading to civilian casualties last year.

The plaintiffs highlight that companies like Texas Instruments, AMD, and Intel failed to act despite public warnings, government alerts, and shareholder demands to tighten oversight. Instead, they allegedly prioritized profits, allowing chips to reach sanctioned regimes through untracked distribution networks.

Legal representatives argue that these firms ignored the potential humanitarian consequences, continuing to supply “high-risk” channels without enhancing security measures. Experts note that such negligence exacerbates the risks of military escalation and civilian harm, emphasizing the importance of stricter export controls in the tech industry.

This case raises critical questions about corporate responsibility in global security and the need for robust compliance with export regulations to prevent the misuse of technology in conflicts.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.