The latest blow for Chinese tech giant, Huawei as it struggles to keep its business afloat in the face of a U.S. ban on its purchase of American parts
The latest blow for Chinese tech giant, Huawei as it struggles to keep its business afloat in the face of a U.S. ban on its purchase of American parts and software, Facebook will no longer be allowed the pre-installation of its app on Huwei phones. What this means is that new phones will no longer be able to have Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram apps pre-installed. Facebook is yet to comment on when the suspension took place.
However, customers who already have Huawei phones will still be able to use its apps and receive updates, Facebook told Reuters. But Smartphone vendors often enter business deals to pre-install popular apps such as Facebook. Apps including Twitter and Booking.com also come pre-installed on Huawei phones in many markets. But Twitter Inc is yet to say whether it will go the way of Facebook or not.
The move by Facebook dampens the sales outlook for Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, whose smartphone business became its biggest revenue generator last year, powered by strong growth in Europe and Asia. Alphabet Inc’s Google said earlier that it would no longer provide Android software for Huawei phones after a 90-day reprieve granted by the U.S. government expires in August. But Google’s Playstore and all Google apps will still be available for current models of Huawei phones including those which have not yet shipped or even been built.
In May, Washington banned U.S. companies from supplying technology to Huawei, part of a long-running campaign against the company. The United States alleges that the phone compnay is too close to the Chinese government and that its telecom network gear and other products could be a conduit for espionage, which Huawei denies.
