The German government has reportedly warned that technology used to regulate power consumption in network appliances made by Huawei could be used for sabotage purposes. In March, the country’s interior ministry announced an audit on network appliances from Chinese telecoms companies Huawei and ZTE.
Furthermore, German lawmakers were briefed on the probe by the federal intelligence service, the interior ministry and the cybersecurity agency in a classified hearing at the Bundestag’s digital committee in April.
The officials told lawmakers that the energy management component from Huawei triggered the investigation amid concerns it could disrupt telecoms operations or bring down a network.
Additionally, the interior ministry is now taking stock of components made by Chinese suppliers used by national network operators, and the government could order operators to “rip and replace” the risky components.
Huawei’s head of media affairs said that the company had not been informed about the risk related to an energy management component by any authority, and that cybersecurity and privacy protection were Huawei’s highest priority.
At the same time, Governments around the world have warned of risks associated with using Chinese telecoms equipment. In September 2020, the UK government announced the ban on the installation of new Huawei equipment in 5G networks of wireless carriers after September 2021.
Finally, in January 2020, the EU presented a set of rules and technical measures aimed at reducing cybersecurity risks from the adoption of 5G, with a clear reference to the Chinese firm Huawei. In November 2019, the US Federal Communications Commission cut off government funding for equipment from Huawei and ZTE due to security concerns.
