Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
South Africa sues Huawei over foreign employee quota
Lawsuit filed
In 2022, South Africa sued Huawei Technologies, alleging that its South Africa unit exceeded the permitted quota for foreign employees. The government sought a court order requiring the company to comply with employment rules, along with a fine. The dispute centered on the proportion of foreign workers employed by Huawei's South African operations relative to the allowed limit. The case was brought by the South African government against Huawei Technologies and concerned compliance with the country's employment regulations governing foreign employee quotas.
Stated objective. The government wants Huawei to comply with the employment rules.
Source excerpt
The department has filed court papers in Johannesburg, according to Advocate Fix Bede, who is representing the government.
South Africa sued Huawei Technologies for exceeding the number of foreigners it’s allowed to employ in the country
That exceeds the maximum quota of 40%, the state said.
2022
Huawei says it will cooperate with Indian tax authorities
Company response
After Indian tax authorities visited Huawei offices and met with employees, Huawei said it would contact relevant government agencies for more information and cooperate according to established rules. The source also reports that Huawei expressed confidence its India operations complied with applicable laws and regulations.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Huawei
Huawei also said that it will contact the relevant government agencies for more information, as well as cooperate according to the established rules
Source excerpt
The searches in Huawei's branch offices in India took place on 15 February
Huawei also said that it will contact the relevant government agencies for more information, as well as cooperate according to the established rules, expressing confidence in the fact that its operation in India fully complies with all legislative and regulatory acts.
2021
Xinjiang surveillance allegations
Reporting and government actions linked Huawei-related technology and Chinese technology suppliers to surveillance systems associated with Xinjiang. The issue contributed to sanctions and broader human-rights scrutiny.
2021
Report alleges Huawei could eavesdrop on KPN network
Issue disclosure
A report based on a 2010 risk-assessment report commissioned by KPN alleged that Huawei had the ability to eavesdrop on numbers in the Dutch KPN network. Huawei denied unauthorized access to KPN's network or data and said it had worked under KPN's explicit authorization.
Company response
Denial — Huawei
Huawei employees have not had unauthorised access to KPN's network and data, nor have they extracted data from that network. Huawei has at all times worked under the explicit authorisation of KPN.
Source excerpt
Huawei has been accused of using its position as a telecoms component supplier to eavesdrop on all conversations taking place over the KPN Network, as reported this weekend by the Dutch de Volkskrant.
Huawei employees have not had unauthorised access to KPN's network and data, nor have they extracted data from that network. Huawei has at all times worked under the explicit authorisation of KPN.
A new report claims that Huawei had the ability to eavesdrop on all numbers in the Dutch KPN network.
2021
Huawei’s planned Labour conference appearance draws criticism
Public backlash
A report criticized Huawei over a planned Labour conference drinks reception that the company was co-hosting. A Labour frontbencher was due to appear at the event, and critics objected to Huawei being allowed into the conference secure zone. The report also noted that Huawei had been banned from UK 5G networks over espionage fears, while not establishing those fears as fact. The coverage centered on the controversy surrounding Huawei's planned presence at the conference event rather than on any finding of wrongdoing.
Huawei was criticized in a report about a planned Labour conference drinks reception it was co-hosting. A Labour frontbencher was due to appear, and critics objected to Huawei being allowed into the conference secure zone. The article also notes that Huawei had been banned from UK 5G networks over espionage fears; it does not establish those fears as fact.
Source excerpt
One of the party’s frontbenchers is due to appear at a drinks reception co-hosted by the telecoms giant, which was banned from the UK’s 5G networks over espionage fears.
Labour is under fire for letting controversial Chinese firm Huawei take part in an event at the conference.
Last night Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he was ‘astonished’ the firm was allowed in the Labour secure zone and added it was ‘particularly inept’ of the Conservatives too.
2021
Huawei reiterates support for Meng Wanzhou
Company response
Huawei said it continued to believe Meng Wanzhou was innocent and would support her efforts to seek justice and freedom amid her extradition proceedings.
Company response
Clarification — 华为
华为在给第一财经记者的声明中表示，“案件即将进入下一阶段。华为仍然坚信孟晚舟是清白的。我们将继续支持孟女士寻求正义和自由。”
Source excerpt
5日早间，华为在给第一财经记者的声明中表示，“案件即将进入下一阶段。华为仍然坚信孟晚舟是清白的。我们将继续支持孟女士寻求正义和自由。”
2021
Huawei founder apologizes over registration of Yao Anna trademarks
Company response
Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei apologized to Huawei employees over the company's registration of trademarks associated with his daughter, Yao Anna. Huawei's internal explanation described the registration as an instance of using public power for private purposes.
Company response
Apology — Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei
任正非2月3日晚因为道歉登上微博热搜榜，他在华为内部心声社区就注册姚安娜商标事件向全体员工道歉。
Source excerpt
说明称，“社会上有些公司或个人恶意抢注姚安娜商标，我们不得为之”，“任总是第一次公权私用，为此向全体员工道歉”。
任正非2月3日晚因为道歉登上微博热搜榜，他在华为内部心声社区就注册姚安娜商标事件向全体员工道歉。
2021
Huawei sponsorship of a CDU regional branch disclosed
Issue disclosure
A report said Huawei was listed first among the companies and institutions thanked for sponsoring a CDU Baden-Württemberg regional party convention, prompting criticism that Huawei had financial ties to the party branch.
Source excerpt
但令人震驚的是，感謝名單的首位居然是華為。
日前，梅克爾所屬的執政黨「基督教民主聯盟」（CDU，簡稱「基民盟」）被踢爆，與華為有金錢往來。
2020
US Department of Justice indicts Huawei
Lawsuit filed
In a controversy noted in Huawei's brand history, the US Department of Justice formally indicted Huawei on 16 counts. The indictment alleged that Huawei stole trade secrets from six US companies and violated export sanctions on Iran and North Korea. These are allegations, not findings established in the supplied report.
Source excerpt
美國司法部以16項罪名正式起訴中國手機網通設備大廠華為，包括涉嫌竊取美國6家公司商業機密
起訴書一共56頁，指控華為過去數十年，涉嫌盜取6間美國公司知識產權，包括程式原始碼、無線通訊關鍵技術等。
紐約布魯克林聯邦法院公開的起訴書指出，美國司法部指控華為及其代理人違反「反勒索及受賄組織法案」（Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act），共謀從6家美國科技公司「侵佔智慧財產」
2020
Verizon responds to Huawei's patent lawsuit
Company response
Verizon issued a response to a patent lawsuit filed by Huawei. In its statement, Verizon characterized the lawsuit as a surprise attack on Verizon and the United States, and described it as a public-relations tactic. Verizon also said it would defend its rights. The response did not provide further details on the claims or on how the dispute would proceed.
Verizon responded to Huawei's lawsuit, characterizing it as a surprise attack on Verizon and the United States and as a public-relations tactic, and said it would defend its rights.
Stated objective. Huawei is seeking compensation for Verizon's use of patented technology.
Company response
Denial — Verizon
The action lacks merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending ourselves.
Source excerpt
今日，作为被起诉方的Verizon对此发表了强硬的回复：华为的起诉是对Verizon公司和美国的“偷袭”，是一种公关手段，Verizon将不遗余力捍卫自己的权利。
The Chinese telecom giant announced in a press release on Thursday that it had filed a lawsuit against Verizon. The suit, filed in U.S. District Courts for Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, accused Verizon of repeatedly using 12 Huawei patents without permission or, more importantly, paying licensing fees.
Song said Huawei is seeking compensation for Verizon's use of patented technology that is protected by 12 of Huawei's U.S.-registered patents.
2020
Huawei sues Verizon over alleged patent infringement
Lawsuit filed
In February 2020, Huawei filed two lawsuits alleging that Verizon infringed patents held by Huawei. Reports described the filings as allegations; the coverage did not establish that a court had reached a determination on the claims. The dispute concerns patent infringement claims brought by Huawei against Verizon in the United States.
Source excerpt
Chinese technology company Huawei filed two lawsuits against Verizon in US courts on Thursday.
2月6日，华为公司官网宣布，在美国德克萨斯州东区和西区法院向美国运营商Verizon提起诉讼，请求法院认定Verizon侵犯了华为在美国授权的12项专利，同时要求Verizon就其专利侵权行为对华为进行赔偿。
The Chinese company is suing the US carrier seeking compensation for alleged unauthorized use of Huawei patents for optical transmission, digital communications and related services.
2020
Huawei opposes expanded US restrictions on its access to technology
Company response
Huawei issued a statement strongly opposing the US Commerce Department's modification of the direct product rule targeting the company. According to the statement, Huawei said the change would harm the global chip industry and affect networks and communications services that use Huawei products. The statement was reported on May 18, 2020. Huawei's position, as expressed in the statement, was that the modified rule would have consequences beyond the company itself, extending to the global semiconductor sector and to network and communications services relying on its products.
Company response
Denial — Huawei
华为强烈反对美国商务部仅针对华为的直接产品规则修改。
Source excerpt
针对美国商务部针对华为的直接产品规则修改，也即是封杀进一步升级。华为发声明称，本次规则修改影响的不仅仅是华为一家企业，更会给全球相关产业带来严重的冲击。
华为强烈反对美国商务部仅针对华为的直接产品规则修改。
2020
Report says Huawei tested software to identify Uyghurs
Issue disclosure
In December 2020, reports citing IPVM stated that Huawei had tested software developed by Megvii capable of identifying Uyghurs in crowds and alerting police. According to the reports, the software was tested by Huawei. Huawei responded that the software was only tested and had not been used in real-world applications. The reports and Huawei's statement present differing accounts of the software's deployment status, with the reports describing testing and Huawei confirming testing while denying practical use.
The article reports that IPVM said Huawei had tested software developed by Megvii that could identify Uyghurs in crowds and alert police. Huawei said the software was only tested and had not been used in real-world applications.
Company response
Clarification — 华为
华为针对相关报道也表示，软件只是测试，没有用于任何现实应用当中，华为仅提供用于测试的通用产品。
Source excerpt
IPVM上周在另一份报告中说，华为在其云端系统中已经测试了一款由中国人脸识别公司旷视科技开发的软件，让监控摄像头可以在人群中识别维吾尔人，并自动向警方发出提醒。
华为针对相关报道也表示，软件只是测试，没有用于任何现实应用当中，华为仅提供用于测试的通用产品。
2019
Security and espionage controversy
The United States and other governments argued that Huawei equipment could create security or intelligence risks because of the company's Chinese origins and Chinese national-security laws. Huawei denied that it conducts espionage and said critics had not produced public proof of such activity.
2019
Former employee Li Hongyuan detained 251 days then not prosecuted, sparking labor dispute and PR crisis
In 2019, a case involving former Huawei employee Li Hongyuan's departure compensation drew widespread attention. The Paper reported that he was detained for 251 days and was ultimately not prosecuted and released because the criminal facts were unclear and evidence was insufficient. Huawei responded that it had the right to report suspected illegal acts and supported his lawful defense of rights. This entry records labor and judicial procedure disputes and does not find Li Hongyuan guilty or find that Huawei's report has been determined by a court to be illegal.
2019
Huawei sues Transsion over alleged intellectual property infringement
Lawsuit filed
A Shenzhen court accepted an intellectual property case against Transsion and five subsidiaries on Sept. 23. A source close to Huawei's legal department said Huawei was suing Transsion for intellectual property infringement; the source did not specify the alleged infringements.
Source excerpt
Shenzhen Transsion Holdings Co. Ltd., a Chinese phone-maker known for its dominance in Africa, is being sued for intellectual property infringement by rival Huawei just as it lists on China’s new high tech board, a source said.
On Sept. 23, a court in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong province, accepted an intellectual property case against Transsion and five of its subsidiaries, a source close to Huawei’s legal department told Caixin.
The source didn’t specify the nature of the alleged infringements.
2019
InterDigital files UK patent lawsuit against Huawei
Lawsuit filed
InterDigital filed a patent infringement action against Huawei in the United Kingdom, seeking, among other things, a determination of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory licensing terms for its 3G, 4G and 5G standard-essential patents.
Source excerpt
has filed a patent infringement action in the United Kingdom against Huawei seeking, among other things, a determination of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms for a license to InterDigital's portfolio of 3G, 4G and 5G standards-essential patents (SEPs).
Wireless technology company InterDigital said it filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Huawei in the United Kingdom, in part over Huawei's licensing of InterDigital's 3G, 4G and 5G patents.
December 4, 2019
2019
Huawei responds to former employee Li Hongyuan's case
Company response
Huawei said it had the right and duty to report suspected illegal conduct to judicial authorities and supported Li Hongyuan in using legal means to protect his rights, including suing Huawei if he believed his rights had been harmed.
Company response
Clarification — 华为
华为有权利，也有义务，并基于事实对于涉嫌违法的行为向司法机关举报。我们尊重司法机关，包括公安、检察院和法院的决定。
Source excerpt
对此，华为今天作出回应：华为有权利，也有义务，并基于事实对于涉嫌违法的行为向司法机关举报。我们尊重司法机关，包括公安、检察院和法院的决定。如果李洪元认为他的权益受到了损害，我们支持他运用法律武器维护自己的权益，包括起诉华为。
据央视新闻报道，华为12月2日晚作了回应：华为有权利，也有义务，并基于事实对于涉嫌违法的行为向司法机关举报。我们尊重司法机关，包括公安、检察院和法院的决定。如果李洪元认为他的权益受到了损害，我们支持他运用法律武器维护自己的权益，包括起诉华为。这也体现了法律面前人人平等的法治精神。
最终于2019年8月22日，深圳市龙岗区人民检察院认为深圳市公安局认定的犯罪事实不清、证据不足、不符合起诉条件等原因，决定对李洪元不起诉。李洪元说，检察院作出不起诉决定的次日（8月23日），他被释放。
2018
Iran sanctions allegations
US authorities alleged that Huawei violated restrictions concerning Iran. The allegations contributed to criminal proceedings, export controls, and the US request for the extradition of chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou from Canada.
2003
Cisco intellectual-property dispute
Cisco accused Huawei of infringing intellectual property related to networking technology. The dispute was settled, with the case contributing to long-running scrutiny of Huawei's engineering and intellectual-property practices.