Huawei owner insists 'no wiretapping'

(Patria) – The founder of the Chinese company Huawei stated that he would 'close it down' if the Chinese government asked it to wiretap mobile phones.

Huawei found itself in Great Britain amidst political controversy regarding the procurement of 5G mobile technology, as besides five government ministers, the US also expressed concerns about the possibility of China misusing the equipment for surveillance purposes.

The company's Vice President for Western Europe, Tim Watkins, stated that the Chinese government has never asked Huawei to conduct surveillance and monitoring, despite recently introduced intelligence legislation.

The British National Security Council made a decision last month to allow Huawei to procure 'non-core' equipment.

Numerous opponents of this decision pointed to China's 2017 intelligence law, which requires companies to cooperate with the government if requested, which is why Huawei could also be forced to do the same.

Former Defence Secretary Michael Fallon stated that Great Britain should consider US warnings and ban Huawei entirely. 'It would be very dangerous to let Huawei into the infrastructure of our new networks,' Fallon emphasized, reports The Guardian.