Stars and Stripes
WILL MORRIS | STARS AND STRIPES Published: May 2, 2018
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https://www.stripes.com/news/exchanges-ordered-to-pull-chinese-smartphones-over-security-risks-1.525026 KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The three military exchange services pulled all smartphones made by Chinese electronics manufacturers Huawei and ZTE from stores around the world and banned their sale because of the security risks the devices pose, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
The Defense Department’s undersecretary for personnel and readiness issued a ban of “all Huawei and ZTE cellphones, personal mobile internet modems and related products from locations worldwide,†DOD spokesman Maj. Dave Eastburn said an email to Stars and Stripes.
“Given the security concerns associated with these devices, as expressed by senior U.S. intelligence officials, it was not prudent for the Department’s exchange services to continue selling these products to our personnel,†Eastburn said. He added that DOD is “evaluating the situation†to see if any additional security measures are needed, including an outright ban on use of the phones by servicemembers.
