U.S. suspects Huawei of collecting sensitive data from military bases and missile silos and transferring it to Chinese government - Reuters

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is conducting a serious investigation of Chinese telecommunications equipment of Huawei manufacturer. This is reported by Reuters, citing sources who remained anonymous, as the investigation is confidential and related to national security.

What's it all about?

According to the publication, the government fears that U.S. cell towers with Huawei equipment could collect sensitive information from military bases and missile silos, which the company could then transmit to China. In particular, Huawei could obtain confidential data on military exercises and the state of readiness of bases and personnel.

The investigation was reportedly initiated by the Department of Commerce shortly after Joe Biden took office early last year. However, it had not previously been reported.

In April 2021, the agency subpoenaed Huawei to inquire about the company's policy on sharing data with foreign parties that its equipment could collect from cell phones, including messages and geolocation data. The Chinese company has categorically denied U.S. government allegations that it could spy on customers in the United States and pose a threat to national security.

The Chinese embassy in Washington commented:

"The U.S. government is abusing the concept of national security and state power to do everything possible to suppress Huawei and other Chinese telecommunications companies without providing any hard evidence that they pose a threat to the security of the United States and other countries."

Huawei is already very damaged by American sanctions. If the Department of Commerce they think that Huawei is a threat to national security, it could go beyond existing restrictions and lead to a total ban on all U.S. transactions with Huawei.

Source: Reuters