GOOGLE HANGS UP ON HUAWEI
3m Britons hit as web giant axes support
GOOGLE effectively pulled the plug on almost 3million British smartphone users yesterday.
Owners of Huawei handsets were urged to consider ditching them after the manufacturer was banned from getting updates for Google software.
The move was prompted by Donald Trump’s decision to blacklist Huawei over spying claims – blocking American companies from doing business with the Chinese firm unless they have government permission.
It was a significant blow for Huawei – the world’s second-biggest mobile phone manufacturer after Samsung – with experts saying it amounted to a ‘kill switch’ for its global ambitions.
Huawei said it would do everything it could to stop its phones, which cost up to £900, from gradually becoming obsolete and claimed Mr Trump’s decision was designed to hurt China in a trade war.
The move left British customers facing uncertainty about whether the devices would continue to function properly or receive vital security updates.
Much of Huawei’s business outside of China is done in Europe as its smartphones were not widely available in the US even prior to President Trump’s crackdown. Around one in five phones sold in the UK in the final quarter of 2018 was from Huawei or its subsidiary Honor.
Google said it will no longer release updates to its Android software for Hua÷BRITAIN wei handsets, leaving them lagging behind competitors.
Experts said that, in future, popular apps may not function properly on Huawei phones if they are designed to be used in conjunction with newer Android software that Google will now withhold.
Last night consumer group Which? suggested anyone who had recently bought a Huawei smartphone should consider returning it.
Those trapped in long-term contracts could find themselves hundreds of pounds out of pocket to replace their devices. Kate Bevan, editor of Which? Computing, said: ‘In this situation, your consumer rights are limited as there’s currently nothing faulty with these phones.
‘However, if you purchased a phone in recent weeks it may be worth checking the retailer’s returns policy.
‘It’s unacceptable for consumers to be left without adequate security on their mobiles.’ Around three-quarters of smartphones globally run on Android, including all of Huawei’s phones sold outside of China. Under a licensing agreement, these phones also come with Google- owned apps such as YouTube and Google Maps installed.
That will no longer happen with new phones, but users can still download and update the apps independently.
Google’s Gmail is also expected to affected by the changes. Nicole Peng, a technology expert at research firm Canalys, said: ‘It will be like an instant kill switch for Huawei’s ambition to overtake Samsung in the global market.’ Google said its Google Play marketplace – through which users can download apps – would continue to work on Huawei phones.
However, the move is expected to mean the gadgets will no longer receive updates such as security fixes.
Huawei denies allegations that its equipment may be used for spying. A spokesman last night said the company would issue its own Android security updates after support from Google stops.