Curbs on Huawei likely over China

ChINa’S huawei is likely to face further restrictions on its work in the UK amid concerns Beijing could ‘press a button and turn off’ critical digital infrastructure, a cyber-security expert has warned.

Ian Levy, technical director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said officials were concerned about possible Chinese government interference in the telecoms giant’s affairs.

The UK is reviewing rules under which firms can supply equipment for the roll-out of so-called 5G mobile technology due to security fears.

Levy told the FT: ‘The thing we care about the most is availability of the networks. Can someone in Beijing press a button and turn off every piece of huawei kit and what does that mean for the UK networks? That’s the number one concern.’

Last week New Zealand became the latest British ally to bar huawei from taking part in the rollout of 5G. It is joined by the US and australia, with the UK and Canada yet to make a decision.

huawei rejects claims its businesses in Western countries could be spied on.