Security News > 2022 > March > Will Chinese giants defy US sanctions on Russia? We asked a ZTE whistleblower

If ZTE and other Chinese giants defy bans on selling American technology to Russia, it will be because they can't help but chase the revenue, says Ashley Yablon, the whistleblower whose evidence led to ZTE being fined for willfully ignoring the US ban on exports to Iran.

Yablon is a lawyer who, after working in senior roles at Huawei USA, in late 2011 became general counsel at Chinese telco kit-maker ZTE's US operations.

In conversation with The Register, Yablon said he fears ZTE and others may again choose to ignore US law, including sanctions that prohibit the selling of certain technology to Russia.

Yablon has penned a book about his experiences at ZTE. It details several instances when ZTE execs and lawyers stated that they saw laws as suggestions, not ironclad rules.

In his book he also all-but admits that he felt his CV was a little light to be hired as ZTE's general counsel, and wondered if ZTE expected he would therefore feel he owed the company his loyalty.

The Register on Thursday evening sought comment from ZTE regarding its stance on selling equipment and software to Russia.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/03/28/ashley_yablon_zte_whistleblower_interview/