US military bans Huawei, ZTE phones

WASHINGTON: Personnel on US military bases can no longer buy phones and other gear manufactured by Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE, after the Pentagon said the devices pose an “unacceptable” security risk.

Concerns have heightened at the Pentagon about consumer electronics being used to snoop on or track service members.

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“Huawei and ZTE devices may pose an unacceptable risk to (military) personnel, information and mission,” Pentagon spokesman Major Dave Eastburn said on Friday.

“In light of this information, it was not prudent for the Department’s exchanges to continue selling them,” he added, referring to the military-run shops on US bases around the world.

Eastburn said the order to pull Huawei devices was given on April 25.

“Given security concerns about ZTE cell phones and related products, the (Pentagon’s) exchange services also removed ZTE products from their stores,” he said.

In February, Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence, along with several other top intel officials, said Americans should not buy Huawei or ZTE products.

“Chinese cyber espionage and cyber attack capabilities will continue to support China’s national security and economic priorities,” Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee.