Telecommunications giant Huawei offered Tuesday to sign “no-spy” agreements with governments around the world in an effort to tamp down growing fears that the company’s 5G technology could be used in a systematic Chinese espionage operation.
Speaking in London, Huawei Chairman Liang Hua said the company will issue written promises that its products won’t include any “back doors” capable of funneling sensitive information back to Beijing.
“We are willing to sign no-spy agreements with governments, including the U.K. government, to commit ourselves to making our equipment meet the no-spy, no-backdoors standard,” he said, as quoted by Reuters.
The comments come as the U.S. urges its allies, especially those in Europe, to boycott all Huawei equipment in the global rollout of 5G technology. The Trump administration already has taken steps to ban the use of Huawei products in U.S. 5G implementation.
Administration officials and lawmakers have raised questions about Huawei’s deep ties to the Chinese government and the possibility its equipment could be used to steal information.
But freezing Huawei out entirely will be difficult given the company’s status at the forefront of 5G technology.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.