Google has cut off support for Huawei with immediate effect dealing a massive blow to the phone maker. Huawei is now restricted to using the Android Open Source Project which means Google will no longer support apps and services that usually come standard with all Android phones, for the next Huawei range of smartphones.
This move means that critical security updates and of course, the next version of Android will not be released on future Huawei devices. It could also mean that future updates may remove apps such as YouTube and Google Maps and anything related to first-party Google applications. This not only restricts what users can use on their device but also leaves them at risk due to the lack of security now that Google will no longer push out updates.
Last week, the Trump administration added Huawei to its “entity list” which bans companies from obtaining technology from US firms without government approval. Google is a US firm thus restricting support from them. Huawei has been under fire for years now as privacy and security, or the lack thereof, has been a hot topic.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#FF0000″ class=”” size=”21″]Several countries have raised concerns that Huawei devices could be used by China for surveillance but the company has denied any allegations[/perfectpullquote]
Huawei will need to fix this fast in order to maintain a healthy consumer relationship. However, it may take some time. The company has reportedly been working on its own operating system which will be the best way out of this mess by bypassing Google’s Android OS and using its own platform. According to reports, the phone maker has been preparing for years in the event of them being banned from using Android and Windows. A Huawei OS will face even more scrutiny across the globe as security and privacy will be up for debate.
It is not all bad news for current Huawei smartphone owners. Google states that all Google Play and security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning as usual on existing devices.
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