San Francisco: US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world’s smartphones, said it was beginning to cut ties with China’s Huawei, which Washington considers a national security threat.
The move could have dramatic implications for Huawei smartphone users, as the telecoms giant will no longer have access to Google’s proprietary services – which include the Gmail and Google Maps apps – a source close to the matter told this agency Monday.
Reports also emerged Monday that several US chipmakers providing vital hardware for Huawei’s smartphones have stopped supplying the Chinese firm.
In the midst of a trade war with Beijing, President Donald Trump has barred US companies from engaging in telecommunications trade with foreign companies said to threaten American national security.
The measure targets Huawei, the world’s second-biggest smartphone maker, which has been listed by the US Commerce Department among firms that American companies can only trade with if authorities grant permission.
The ban includes technology sharing. Google, like all tech companies, collaborates directly with smartphone makers to ensure its systems are compatible with their devices.
“We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications,” a Google spokesperson told this agency.
“We assure you while we are complying with all US gov’t requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device,” Google’s official @Android account tweeted.
Due to the ban, Google will have to halt business activities with Huawei that involve direct transfer of hardware, software and technical services that are not publicly available. It means Huawei will only be able to use the open source version of Android.
It will need to manually access any updates or software patches from Android Open Source Project, and also distribute the updates to users itself.
In a statement, Huawei said it would ‘continue to provide security updates and after-sales services’ to all existing smartphones and tablets globally, including those not yet sold.
China’s Foreign Ministry said it was actively following the situation. “At the same time, the Chinese side supports Chinese enterprises in taking up legal weapons and defending their legitimate rights,” said Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.
Huawei is a rapidly expanding leader in 5G technology, and currently has the most advanced and cheapest 5G capacities in the world. But it is the target of an intense campaign by Washington, which has been trying to persuade allies not to allow China a role in building next-generation 5G mobile networks.
US government agencies are already banned from buying equipment from Huawei.
Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei said Saturday that ‘we have not done anything which violates the law’, adding the US measures would have a limited impact.
Ren’s army background and Huawei’s opaque culture have fuelled suspicions in some countries that the firm has links with the Chinese military and intelligence services.
AFP
