Huawei products have 'significant' flaws that could pose risk to UK national security, says report

Only 'limited assurance' can be given that risks can be contained, oversight body finds

The US government wants its European allies to ban the company from next-generation mobile networks (AFP/Getty)

UK cybersecurity inspectors found "significant" technical flaws in Chinese telecom supplier Huawei's software that pose security risks for the country's mobile networks.

It's the latest salvo in a global battle over Huawei, which the US says could give the Chinese government backdoor access to sensitive data worldwide.

The report said it's only possible to give "limited assurance" that long-term national security risks from Huawei's involvement in critical British telecom networks can be adequately managed.

The US government wants its European allies to ban the company from next-generation mobile networks set to roll out in coming years over fears Huawei gear could be used for cyberespionage. However, Britain has so far resisted, saying it can manage the risks without resorting to a boycott.

Thursday's report from an oversight body that includes GCHQ staff noted that cybersecurity authorities did not believe the defects were a result of "Chinese state interference."

Meng Wanzhou, daughter of Huawei's founder, is accused of breaking American sanctions on Iran. China believes her arrest was politically motivated (AP)

Since 2010, Huawei equipment used by British mobile phone companies has been inspected by the evaluation center, which is funded by the Chinese company and overseen by a board headed by a British official.

The oversight's board annual report also criticised Huawei for making "no material progress" in fixing technical shortcomings noted in last year's report.

Huawei denied that the report suggests British mobile networks are more vulnerable than last year.

The Pentagon has banned the sale of Huawei devices on US military bases (Screenshot)

"We understand these concerns and take them very seriously," the company said in a statement. The issues that have been identified "provide vital input for the ongoing transformation of our software engineering capabilities," which the company pledged in November to spend $2 billion on, it said.

The oversight board, however, said it hasn't seen anything that gives it confidence that Huawei has the capacity to carry out the transformation.

AP