NSA, FBI and CIA intelligence chiefs have issued a warning against Huawei products (and services), citing links to the Chinese government and potential national security risks.
The recommendation was made during this week’s Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, which was attended by the heads of six leading American intelligence agencies.
Prompted during the hearing, all six intelligence chiefs agreed they wouldn’t recommend American citizens use products (or services) from the Chinese company.
As reported by CNBC, FBI Director, Chris Wray, affirms the government is “deeply” concerned about Huawei – and similar Chinese branded – products’ use in America:
“We’re deeply concerned about the risks of allowing any company or entity that is beholden to foreign governments that don’t share our values to gain positions of power inside our telecommunications networks,”
“That provides the capacity to exert pressure or control over our telecommunications infrastructure”
“It provides the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information. And it provides the capacity to conduct undetected espionage”.
In response to the intelligence chiefs’ remarks, a Huawei spokesperson asserts the company “poses no greater cybersecurity risk than any ICT vendor”.
“Huawei is aware of a range of U.S. government activities seemingly aimed at inhibiting Huawei’s business in the U.S. market”
“Huawei is trusted by governments and customers in 170 countries worldwide and poses no greater cybersecurity risk than any ICT vendor, sharing as we do common global supply chains and production capabilities”.
