In a recent development, a British cabinet minister lost his job due to a scandal surrounding the Chinese corporation, Huawei. The dispute is originated from suspicions about the security threat that Huawei allegedly poses to the countries in which it operates.
Security Concerns Around Huawei
The worries over Huawei’s security arise from suspected risks that the technology company could expose countries to. According to a report in Bloomberg, Vodafone discovered concealed backdoors in Huawei’s software. These hidden loopholes could potentially provide Huawei with unauthorized access to Vodafone’s fixed-line network in Italy.
US Government Reacts to Huawei’s Security Threat
The US government implemented a decision to ban Huawei from its networks following these concerns. In addition to this, it also recommended the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada to do the same. The US argues that Huawei’s close ties with the Chinese government and its army pose significant national security threats.
Stance of Other Countries on Huawei
In response, New Zealand and Australia have prohibited the use of Huawei’s equipment for the 5G network rollouts. However, the Indian government has yet to take a conclusive decision on whether Huawei will be allowed to participate in their 5G trials.
India’s Position on Huawei
The Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has not explicitly stated whether they will allow Huawei to take part in the trials. They are waiting for a recommendation from the committee that is examining the security risks posed by Huawei’s presence in the 5G networks.
| Huawei’s offers to the Indian Government | Public reaction |
|---|---|
| Huawei has offered to sign a “no back door” pact. | People await Government’s decision on Huawei’s offers. |
| Huawei seeks clarity on blacklist citing security concerns. | Fear and skepticism prevail among people regarding Huawei’s role in 5G networks. |
Division within the Indian Department of Telecommunications
The Department of Telecommunications in India is reportedly split over Huawei. One faction believes that having only two network equipment suppliers poses risks from European vendors as well. This group argues that Huawei should be given an opportunity in the 5G trials which could also provide a platform for India to identify potential security vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, another faction staunchly views Chinese vendors as a significant security threat to India. They maintain that these companies, under Chinese law, are obligated to share information with their government.
Huawei’s Response to Security Concerns
In response to these concerns, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd has indicated its willingness to sign a “no back door” agreement with the Indian government. In the absence of a “back door”, a point of access that guarantees entry into the network or equipment under exceptional circumstances, the equipment supplier would not be able to access the customer’s network without appropriate consent. Currently, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd is seeking clarity from the Indian government after being blacklisted by the US due to security threats.
