Facebook announced today that Huawei was among the companies who had access to user data. This sparked outrage from the members of Congress who believe the company is Beijing’s tech attack force. The Washington and Beijing relations further wavered after this leak. With Facebook compatibility, how did Huawei access Facebook data?
“Huawei is the world’s third largest mobile phone manufacturer. The company’s devices amake a good net profit everywhere in the world, especially in the market of United States. Facebook, like other American tech companies, has worked with it and other Chinese manufacturers to acheive Facebook compatibility with their phones,” explains Francisco Varela in an email confirming information from the New York Times. He is the head of mobile company partnerships at Facebook.
“The process was aimed at making Facebook compatible with the smartphones of Chinese groups Huawei, Lenovo, OPPO and TCL and “was under Facebook’s control from the beginning,” he added.
“Given the interest on the part of Congress, we would like to clarify clearly that all the information” enabling Facebook compatibility with Huawei phones “was stored on the device and not on Huawei’s servers,” Francisco Varela explained.
New York Times on Saturday detailed how Facebook allowed dozens of smartphone makers to access user data. This happened without the users consent and in order to develop a Facebook app.
Facebook ‘s explanation
Facebook reacted by explaining that prior to the creation of a standard Facebook application for mobile phones, around 60 manufacturers , such as Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Microsoft and Samsung had worked with Facebook to adapt the platform for smartphones.
Additionally, it clarified that user data is not stored without consent. It also clarified that companies are not allowed to use it for manufacturing purposes. It discontinued those agreements with mobile device manufacturers.
“The fact that Facebook allowed manufacturers such as Huawei or TCL to access its links is a legitimate concern and I am eager to know how Facebook ensured that user data did not reach Chinese servers,” said Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Information Committee.
The revelations take on even greater weight as they happen at a time of worsening relations between Washington and Beijing.
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Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
