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Musing on Huawei
US Accuses Huawei of Backdoor Security Violation While Cutting New Trade Extension from 90 to 45 Days
February 16, 2020
The Wall Street Journal claims US officials say has been able to access mobile networks around the world via backdoors over a decade. “We have evidence that Huawei has the secret ability to access sensitive and personal information in the systems it manages and sells around the world,” national security adviser Robert O’Brien was quoted as saying. Officials haven’t revealed any more details, such as countries apparently affected by the problem. But they said that the issue first surfaced with 4G equipment. The outlet says telecom makers are required to build ways for law enforcement to access their networks. But it claims that Huawei has built equipment that secretly “preserves” its ability to access networks, without a carrier’s knowledge. Huawei’s responded saying, “We categorically reject these latest allegations. Again, baseless accusations are repeated without providing any kind of concrete evidence,” Huawei was quoted as saying by the outlet. “The use of the legal interception interface is strictly regulated and is only accessible to certified personnel of network operators. No Huawei employee is allowed to access the network without the explicit approval of the network operator,” a senior company representative was quoted as saying, adding that access via this method was “extremely implausible and would be discovered immediately.”
The US’s last last 90-day extension was handed out in November 2019, which means it’s time for a renewal or cancellation. But the temporary general license which allows American companies to do some business with Huawei has been extended for only 45 days. The Department of Commerce said, “The 45-day extension is necessary to allow existing telecommunication providers -- particularly those in rural US communities -- the ability to continue to temporarily and securely operate existing networks while they identify alternatives to Huawei for future operation” A 45-day extension instead of 90 days does not look very promising for the future of US-Huawei relations. It also further diminishes hope of Huawei phones regaining Google services any time soon. The reduction can be attributed to Huawei’s ongoing tussle with the US government as described above.
US Accuses Huawei of Backdoor Security Violation While Cutting New Trade Extension from 90 to 45 Days
February 16, 2020
The Wall Street Journal claims US officials say has been able to access mobile networks around the world via backdoors over a decade. “We have evidence that Huawei has the secret ability to access sensitive and personal information in the systems it manages and sells around the world,” national security adviser Robert O’Brien was quoted as saying. Officials haven’t revealed any more details, such as countries apparently affected by the problem. But they said that the issue first surfaced with 4G equipment. The outlet says telecom makers are required to build ways for law enforcement to access their networks. But it claims that Huawei has built equipment that secretly “preserves” its ability to access networks, without a carrier’s knowledge. Huawei’s responded saying, “We categorically reject these latest allegations. Again, baseless accusations are repeated without providing any kind of concrete evidence,” Huawei was quoted as saying by the outlet. “The use of the legal interception interface is strictly regulated and is only accessible to certified personnel of network operators. No Huawei employee is allowed to access the network without the explicit approval of the network operator,” a senior company representative was quoted as saying, adding that access via this method was “extremely implausible and would be discovered immediately.”
The US’s last last 90-day extension was handed out in November 2019, which means it’s time for a renewal or cancellation. But the temporary general license which allows American companies to do some business with Huawei has been extended for only 45 days. The Department of Commerce said, “The 45-day extension is necessary to allow existing telecommunication providers -- particularly those in rural US communities -- the ability to continue to temporarily and securely operate existing networks while they identify alternatives to Huawei for future operation” A 45-day extension instead of 90 days does not look very promising for the future of US-Huawei relations. It also further diminishes hope of Huawei phones regaining Google services any time soon. The reduction can be attributed to Huawei’s ongoing tussle with the US government as described above.
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