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Venezuela’s president thinks American spies can’t hack Huawei phones
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claims during a press conference that a Huawei smartphone gifted by China's Xi Jinping is unhackable by American spies. Experts, however, note vulnerabilities in Huawei's HarmonyOS, and a history of U.S. hacking efforts against Huawei reinforces skepticism about security claims.
Key points
- Nicolás Maduro promotes a Huawei phone, calling it 'the best phone in the world.'
- He claims that American intelligence cannot hack the phone.
- Experts argue Huawei's HarmonyOS may have more vulnerabilities compared to iOS and Android.
- Huawei acknowledges it has security issues and patches bugs regularly, which includes 60 bugs fixed last month.
- Historical context shows the U.S. has previously hacked Huawei, as revealed by Edward Snowden's leaks.
Why it matters
- This incident reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions over technology and cybersecurity.
- As of 2025, trends show increasing focus on mobile OS security amid rising cybersecurity concerns.
- The 'Disrupt 2025' tech event highlights the central role of technology in global affairs.
- The NSA's activities against Huawei showcase a long-standing interest in compromising foreign tech.
Maduro's confidence in Huawei's security is contested by experts highlighting the phone's vulnerabilities and a history of U.S. espionage, reflecting the complexities of tech security amidst geopolitical tensions.