Dutch investigate Huawei over ‘back doors’ that pose spying risk
DUTCH intelligence services are investigating Huawei for allegedly leaving “back doors” in its equipment that could potentially be used for spying by China’s government, reports suggest.
The probe into Huawei, the world’s biggest manufacturer of telecoms equipment, is being led by the country’s intelligence agency AIVD, according to a report in de Volkskrant.
Citing intelligence sources, the newspaper alleged that Huawei had access to the data of customers for the Dutch networks of Vodafone, KPN and T-mobile. In April, KPN said it had partnered with Huawei to help it update existing 4G networks.
The latest allegations came just hours after US president Donald Trump announced plans to blacklist Huawei in a move that would require US companies to obtain a licence before selling components to the Chinese firm.
President Trump also declared a “national emergency” and signed an executive order that would effectively stop US firms using any Huawei equipment.
Huawei’s problems have escalated since the recent leak of sensitive information about Britain’s decision to approve it as a supplier for 5G networks. Gavin Williamson, the former defence secretary, was sacked over the affair.
Huawei has come under serious
‘The ability to control communications will be the route to exercise power over societies and other nations’
scrutiny in recent months from western governments assessing the safety of the company’s telecoms equipment as it plans to partner with mobile carriers in the roll-out of 5G networks.
It has consistently denied all allegations against it, saying it is a private firm not controlled by the Chinese state.
The report comes at a crucial time in the Netherlands, with Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, expected to make a decision on Huawei’s involvement in the country’s 5G network.
On the US decision, a Huawei spokesman said: “This decision is in no one’s interest. It will do significant economic harm to the American companies with which Huawei does business, affect tens of thousands of American jobs, and disrupt the current collaboration and mutual trust that exist on the global supply chain.”
AIVD did not confirm the investigation to de Volkskrant, saying it “does not comment on possible individual cases”.
The report from the Netherlands followed a difficult day for Huawei, which faced fresh criticism in the UK. Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, called on the government to reconsider Huawei’s involvement in the roll-out of 5G in the country.
Mr Dearlove warned that “the ability to control communications and the data that flows through its channels will be the route to exercise power over societies and other nations”.