Reply To: Google blocks Huawei access to Android updates after blacklisting Early days yet for Huawei mobile phone operators, but given the recent blacklisting of Huawei via US. Google has suspended Huawei’s access to updates of its Android operating system and…

[UK Sentinel]

Glad you asked, this has recently become big news and Huawei for a few years has been a concern for the US and others.

I remember back in the day when BT was allowed to use Huawei kit for their telecoms networks, what a managed risk exercise that was……..

According to the various sources I have read, it does sound like current Huawei Kit – that has been sold and is in operation (Mobiles – Routers – Modems – Tablets) etc.  will be supported for now , as with Google whom  third party devices have already been certified under processes known as the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) and the Vendor Test Suite (VTS). should remain fully operational.

As a consequence, Google can provide them with new versions of its products and authorise downloads from its Play marketplace, without having to directly deal with Huawei itself.

However, matters become more complex when it comes to security updates.

The way these typically work is that Google gives Android device-makers the code for its software fixes about one month before it reveals details to the public about the vulnerabilities involved.

This gives manufacturers time to check the patches do not cause problems for their own proprietary software, and then to package up a customised version of the fixes as a download.

Huawei will now only learn of the patches on the same day they are released to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), meaning there will be a lag before it can distribute them.

But going forward , new purchases could/will be effected and the likes of the Broadcom Qualcomm and other chipset manufactures outside of US (Infineon) are also planning to support the US enforcement – so products, including newer Chipsets, Drivers and security will not be supported, and from my understanding Huwei may even roll out there own OS, thus removing users access to  Googles premier services such as Google Play app store, Google Mail etc.

History:

China’s Cyber Security Law (commonly referred to as the China Internet Security Law) changed in 2017 (June) now requiring China’s companies to …………….

The Cybersecurity Law is applicable to network operators and businesses in “critical sectors. By critical sectors, China roughly divides the domestic businesses into Networking businesses that are involved in telecommunications, information services, energy transport, water, financial services, public services, and electronic government services.

These definitions mean the law is applicable to almost all businesses in China that manage their own email or other data networks. Network operators are expected, amongst other things, to: clarify cybersecurity responsibilities within their organization, take technical measures to safeguard network operations and prevent data leaks and theft; and report any cybersecurity incidents to both users of the network and the relevant implementing department for that sector.

Huawei admit Chinese law obliges companies to work with government, under conditions

China’s Huawei and ZTE pose national security threat, says US committee and in 2012 Huawei and ZTE was a concern due to Chinese Government ‘potential’ influence, the Decision was to avoid the Brand where ever possible

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/oct/08/china-huawei-zte-security-threat

Huawei has also been under investigations in Trade Secrets case with Mobile Operator back in 2014  regarding T-Mobile and theft of a Robot that helped T-Mobile diagnose quality control issues with handsets etc.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/technology/huawei-investigation-trade-secrets.html

I also remember reading that Samsung was not happy about copyright theft of there folding phone, I forget the details but again, Apple is always taking Samsung to court of IPR, so maybe these references are less relevant ???

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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