Huawei blasts US for "illegal action"

Chinese networking vendor Huawei has accused the United States of taking “illegal action”, after the release of a report claiming the NSA targeted the vendor for surveillance.

Brazilian TV network Globo recently revealed several fresh documents purportedly leaked by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden, detailing surveillance programs operated by the NSA and the British intelligence agency GCHQ.

One document, dated May 2012, listed several surveillance targets, including Huawei.

The company issued the following statement in response to the report.

“Huawei is well aware that our systems and networks are under regular attack - this is the case with most large, multinational companies, which present an attractive target for industrial espionage. While Huawei has not detected any US Government intrusions into our systems, we are very disturbed to hear that the NSA has attempted to penetrate and compromise our networks and information. Needless to say, we utterly object to such illegal practices and, out of concern for any related industrial espionage by the NSA or others, we will redouble our efforts to prevent and expose such intrusive activity in the future.”

The day after Huawei’s fiery response was reported, a Huawei executive was quoted as denying that the company posed a threat to British and US national security.

Huawei has long faced accusations that it is in cahoots with the Chinese Government, with some alleging that the company spies on its customers for its government.

In October last year, a leaked report revealed that the US Congress regarded the company as a security risk.

Dutch Ruppersberger, a US Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, was quoted at the time as saying: “[The] overriding concern is this: that the Chinese Government could exploit Huawei’s presence on US networks to intercept high-level communications, gather intelligence, wage cyberwar and shut down or disrupt critical services in times of national emergency.”

The Australian Government last year reportedly banned Huawei from participating in the NBN, because of concerns over cyberattacks originating in China.

Pictured: Huawei's HQ