German Federal Intelligence Service exposes Huawei’s security and privacy flawsMARCH 16, 2019
The German Federal Intelligence Service – Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), has expressed critical concern over Chinese tech corporation – Huawei and its quest to frame Germany’s 5G mobile networks citing the lack of privacy and security credibility, which could have national security effects for the EU nation.
The concerns were voiced by a representative of the BND to a committee of Federal lawmakers and a German government Official, at the same meeting implied the sensitivity that would spurn by working with a company that cooperates with its national secret service in reference to Huawei and the Chinese government.
The official cited motivations as, past “security-relevant incidents” involving Huawei. The implications of the comments garner around German concerns of its allies that may include the Eurozone and NATO forces.
It’s above all a matter of trustworthiness and of the impact on our relationship with our allies, Germany is in contact with partner nations on the issue.
German Foreign Ministry Official comments to Federal Lawmakers
The German Intelligence Service is pushing for strict criteria on equipment suppliers amidst concerns that Huawei could help China steal secrets from German companies, since an outright ban on the Chinese equipment maker would be legally impossible.
The intensified scrutiny on Huawei’s prospective German mission come after the U.S. government recently issued an anti-Huawei warning to Germany noting that if it approves the use of Huawei infrastructure in the country’s bid to build the next-generation 5G network, it would be forced to reduce the amount of intelligence it shares with Berlin.
The warning, which was conveyed in the form of a lettersent by the U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, to Germany’s economics minister Peter Altmaier prompted a statement from German Chancellor, Angela Merkel saying that Germany would define its own security standards for a new 5G mobile network.
NATO forces also warned that they could stop communicating with their German colleagues if Berlin chose Huawei to build its super-fast 5G telecom infrastructure.
We’re concerned about their telecommunications backbone being compromised in the sense that, particularly with 5G, the bandwidth capability and ability to pull data is incredible.
Gen Scaparrotti, Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, in a statement to the House Armed Services Committee.
Early this month, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, responded to questions on whether the government planned to shut Huawei out from the upcoming auction of fifth-generation mobile licences to which he replied, “we will not want to exclude any company”.
The government begins the process of issuing 5G licenses on March 13, 2019.
The focus on Huawei in Germany follows moves by the US, New Zealand, and Australia to ban Huawei from developing their 5G networks due to alleged security threats.
The world’s biggest telecoms equipment supplier has repeatedly denied U.S. accusations of stealing commercial information and spying on behalf of the Chinese government, insisting that it sees no reason why it should be restricted from building 5G infrastructure in any country.
