Google Reveals Huawei Ban and Warns Customers

Google has recently published a support article intended to explain the open-ended conflict with Huawei. Last year, the government of the United States of America has banned firms in the US from working with the Chinese hardware maker. “Google is prohibited from working with Huawei on new device models or providing Google’s apps including Gmail, Maps, YouTube, the Play Store and others for preload or download on these devices,” Tristan Ostrowski, legal director for Android and Google Play, wrote in the post. So finally, Google reveals Huawei ban officially and here is what you need to know.

Google Reveals Huawei Ban

We have continued to receive several questions about new Huawei devices (e.g., new models launching now, or earlier models launched after May 16, 2019, but now becoming available in new regions of the world) and whether Google’s apps and services can be used on these devices. We wanted to provide clear guidance to those asking these important questions.

The article includes some of Google’s most outspoken remarks on the Huawei legend yet. The organization drives open of weighing in on whether Huawei poses any threat to US national security, which intelligence agencies and legislators have requested is the case. “Our focus has been protecting the security of Google users on the millions of existing Huawei devices around the world,” Ostrowski wrote. “We have continued to work with Huawei, in compliance with government regulations, to provide security updates and updates to Google’s apps and services on existing devices, and we will continue to do so as long as it is permitted.”

Huawei stocks released on or before May 16th, 2019 may proceed to get those updates for now. But any products and services that came later are considered “uncertified,” as Google has been incapable to put those devices into its “uncompromising” security checks or preload them with Google Play Protect software, which can identify when hardware has been jeopardized.

But Google does have a signal for consumers with more latest Huawei products: don’t try to sideload Gmail, YouTube, the Play Store, or other Google software onto those uncertified devices. Because the corporation can’t promise that they’re the true deal or free of malware.

Google apps will not work reliably because we do not allow these services to run on uncertified devices where security may be compromised. Sideloading Google’s apps also carry a high risk of installing an app that has been altered or tampered with in ways that can compromise user security.

Google is clearly trying to bypass the political side of this situation, while also seriously discouraging consumers from using alternative routes to have access to the company’s common services. Ostrowski concludes the support article by describing how to check whether the Android device you’re using has been approved under Google Play Protect. “To check if your device is certified, open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone, tap ‘Menu’ and look for ‘Settings.’ You will see if your device is certified under ‘Play Protect certification.’’