14 DAY TRIAL // US Senator Tom Cotton has introduced a new bill that calls for a ban on intelligence sharing with countries using 5G network equipment provided by Huawei.
In other words, Cotton wants whoever uses 5G gear developed by Huawei to no longer receive intelligence from the United States unless they stop using the Chinese company’s equipment.
While the bill doesn’t specifically mention it, the reason behind the proposal is a long-time concern in the United States that Huawei tech could come with backdoors allowing the company to spy for Beijing.
According to the proposal, the ban would target “intelligence of or under the control of the United States,” and concerns any other nation that uses Huawei 5G gear.
“The United States shouldn't be sharing valuable intelligence information with countries that allow an intelligence-gathering arm of the Chinese Communist Party to operate freely within their borders. I urge our allies around the world to carefully consider the consequences of dealing with Huawei to their national interests,” Senator Cotton explained.
Spying concerns
The United States has accused Huawei of spying for Beijing on several occasions, and last year the government even banned the company from working with American firms and using their products.
The sanction blocked Huawei from installing software like Android and Windows on its devices, something that has forced the Chinese company to develop its own operating system for US and international markets. Huawei still isn’t allowed to use Android on its smartphones, and the company plans to release devices running its in-house OS this year.
While Huawei denied all claims, calling for the United States to provide evidence that it’s spying for the Chinese government, the company had to face even more restrictions. In mid-December, the US House of Representatives passed a bill banning the government from buying Huawei gear amid fears that it could include backdoors.