A new Defense Authorization Act recently signed by Donald Trump has banned the US government and government contractors from using Huawei and ZTE technology.
The ban covers the use of Huawei and ZTE components or services that are “essential” or “critical” to the system they’re used in. Some components from these companies are still allowed, so long as they cannot be used to route or view data. The bill also instructs several government agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission, to prioritize funding to assist businesses that will have to change their technology as a result of the ban.
In an emailed statement, Huawei called the ban a “random addition” to the defence bill that was “ineffective, misguided, and unconstitutional.” Huawei said the ban would increase costs for consumers and businesses, and that it failed to “identify real security risks or improve supply chain security.” Huawei didn’t immediately say that it would challenge the law.
According to The Verge, “Huawei and ZTE have long been in the crosshairs of US law- and policymakers. Both companies were called a national security threat by a 2012 House report, while heads of US security agencies have recommended against using both companies’ products. While this bill doesn’t outright ban either company from US infrastructure, it could have a major impact by forcing the many companies that want to work with the government to pick other suppliers and remove the Huawei and ZTE components they’re already using.”
