Huawei hits back, accuses the US of carrying out cyberattacks
What's the story
Months after being subjected to a trade ban, Huawei has hit back at US, claiming that the Trump administration has been using every tool at its disposal to disrupt its business. The Chinese giant has accused the US government of carrying out cyberattacks, entrapment, illegal searches, and other 'unscrupulous' activities against both its employees and partners. Here's all about the matter.
Employee
Huawei staff searched, detained, investigated
Notably, the trade ban prevented Huawei from conducting business with US-based firms, but according to the company, the country has been doing a lot more in the background. It claimed that the US law enforcement has been going after current and former Huawei staff by unlawfully searching, detaining, arresting them, barging into their homes, and digging up old civil cases that have been settled.
Cyberattacks
Plus, the US carried out cyberattacks, tried coercing employees
Huawei also claimed the US instructed law enforcement to 'threaten, menace, coerce, entice, and incite' its employees so they could turn and give them the information they need to form legal pretense of unfounded accusations against the company. It also conducted cyberattacks to infiltrate Huawei's intranet and internal information systems without authorization, the company emphasized.
Information
Conspiring with Huawei's partners to bring false accusations
Huawei further alleged that the US conspired with its partner companies to bring unsubstantiated accusations against the company as well as tried obstructing normal business activities and technical communications through intimidation, denying visas, detaining shipment, etc.
Details
However, no evidence behind Huawei's claims
Huawei's revelation comes as a surprise, but it's worth noting that the company hasn't given any evidence to back the claims. However, an unnamed source did confirm to The Wall Street Journal that at least three employees at Huawei have been contacted by law enforcement, something that happens to be pretty common in the case of companies under investigation.
Investigation
Why US is investigating Huawei?
To recall, the US is investigating Huawei over national security concerns stemming from its telecommunications equipment. The Trump administration has repeatedly alleged that the company is at the mercy of Chinese government officials. Not to mention, just recently, it launched another investigation against the company over the alleged theft of intellectual property patented in the US.