Does anyone trust Huawei?
Following cybersecurity concerns, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei is seeking to regain the trust of the Australian government.
Australia’s government officials are currently deciding which smartphones are safe to use as the 5G smartphone network is being created. Back in 2012, Australia excluded the Chinese tech firm from their National Broadband Network after an investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. In fact, reports from the government show that Australia will almost certainly exclude Huawei from their 5G network.
The cybersecurity concerns stem from the manufacturers’ close relationship with the Chinese government. Moreover, the country passed a law in 2017 that states,
All organizations and citizens shall, in accordance with the law, support, cooperate with, and collaborate in national intelligence work, and guard the secrecy of national intelligence work they are aware of.
Essentially, Australian officials are concerned that the Chinese government will be able to pull confidential information about the country’s infrastructure and data through Huawei. Six intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA, have all warned consumers and other governments about using Huawei phones, as they pose privacy threats.
Thus, although many government agencies seem to oppose the Chinese tech company, they continue to defend themselves. In a letter to Australian senators, Huawei states,
To completely exclude Huawei from 5G in Australia means excluding Huawei from the entire Australian market and we don’t believe this would be in Australia’s best interest. Increased competition not only means cheaper prices but most importantly better access to the latest technologies and innovation.
The Australian government will likely continue to boycott Huawei’s presence in its country, as will many other governments and government agencies. The smartphone manufacturer will need to prove to the general public that its ties to the Chinese government are, in fact, misleading and incorrect.
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons
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