The promise of 5G is the problem with Huawei in eyes of critics

A Huawei booth is seen at a China Mobile 5G experience center in Shanghai on December 20, 2018. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT

The new wireless technology known as 5G will do more than make mobile phones faster – it will link billions of devices, revolutionising transportation, manufacturing and even medicine. It will also create a multitude of potential openings for bad actors to exploit. 

The vulnerability helps explain the rising tension between the US and Huawei Technologies Co, China’s largest technology company. Huawei is pushing for a global leadership role in 5G, but American officials suspect that would help Beijing spy on Western governments and companies.