Security News
Huawei, Honor, and Vivo smartphones and tablets are displaying strange 'Security threat' alerts urging the deletion of the Google app, warning that it is detected as the 'TrojanSMS-PA' malware. BleepingComputer contacted Google to determine if a recent app update might have caused the sudden uptick in malware warnings, but a spokesperson said Google Play Protect is not triggering the alert.
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) has accused the U.S. of breaking into Huawei's servers, stealing critical data, and implanting backdoors since 2009, amid mounting geopolitical tensions...
European commissioner Thierry Breton wants Huawei and ZTE barred throughout the EU, and revealed plans to remove kit made by the Chinese telecom vendors from the Commission's internal networks. There are concerns that backdoors in Huawei equipment could allow China to spy on foreign nations, given Chinese law requires local businesses to share info with Beijing.
Malaysia could be putting itself on a collision course with the EU and US as the country looks set to allow Chinese suppliers including Huawei a chance to play a part in its planned 5G network rollout. The Southeast Asian nation said it will not interfere with commercial decisions made by telecoms operators in the country over who supplies the network kit for its second 5G network.
The United States government, through the Federal Communications Commission, has banned the sale of equipment from Chinese telecommunications and video surveillance vendor Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua due "Unacceptable risks to national security". "The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules prohibiting communications equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security from being authorized for importation or sale in the United States," reads the press release from the FCC. "These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications," commented Chairwoman J. Rosenworcel.
American prosecutors on Monday accused 13 people of committing espionage-linked crimes in the US on behalf of the Chinese government. Their charges, spread over three separate cases, include: attempting to force a Chinese national in America to return to China; attempting to interfere with the federal criminal prosecution of a Chinese company, said to be Huawei; and attempting to recruit US academics and government officials in the US to spy for China.
The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security has relaxed restrictions that barred export of some encryption technologies to Huawei, in the name of ensuring the United States is in a better position to negotiate global standards. A Thursday announcement [PDF] explains the decision was taken because American businesses have told the Biden administration they're confused about whether they need to seek a license before bringing some tech to standards talks.
The Government of Canada announced its intention to ban the use of Huawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment and services across the country's 5G and 4G networks. "Today, the Government of Canada is ensuring the long-term safety of our telecommunications infrastructure. As part of that, the government intends to prohibit the inclusion of Huawei and ZTE products and services in Canada's telecommunications systems," reads the announcement.
The Canadian government has joined many of its allies and banned the use of Huawei and ZTE tech in its 5G networks, as part of a new telecommunications security framework. "The Government is committed to maximizing the social and economic benefits of 5G and access to telecommunications services writ large, but not at the expense of security," stated the Government of Canada.
Chinese telecom giant Huawei has issued a mandatory month-long furlough to some of its Russia-based staff and suspended new orders, according to Russian media. The business mag also reported that Chinese nationals working for Huawei Russia are still going to the office.