On Friday evening, Google addressed the Huawei ban in a report they published that also clarified their current situation with Huawei. In 2019, Donald Trump prohibited US companies from trading with the Chinese tech giant citing security issues. This trade blacklist affected Google’s relationship with Huawei which meant new devices launched after 16th May 2019 didn’t come with Google’s Android Apps.
Tristan Ostrowski, legal director for Android and Google Play, wrote in the post that Google was barred from working with Huawei on new device models or providing Google’s apps including Gmail, Maps, YouTube, the Play Store and others for preload or download on these devices.
Luckily, Huawei was given a temporary reprieve that meant Google could push security updates for existing devices only.
In the report, Google advises users not to sideload Android apps for new and uncertified devices due to a “high risk of installing an app that has been altered or tampered with in ways that can compromise user security.” Besides safety concerns, Google cannot guarantee reliable user experience.
“Because of the government restrictions described above, new Huawei device models made available to the public after May 16, 2019 have not been able to go through this security process nor will they have Play Protect preloaded. As a result, they are considered “uncertified,” and will not be able to utilize Google’s apps and services.
In addition, sideloaded Google apps will not work reliably because we do not allow these services to run on uncertified devices where security may be compromised. Sideloading Google’s apps also carry a high risk of installing an app that has been altered or tampered with in ways that can compromise user security,” the post continues.
The advisory is meant to provide clear guidance to those asking these important questions. Google is worried that the sideloaded apps which are not official from the company could be malicious and compromise user security.
Huawei will reportedly pre-install up to 70 popular apps in its future devices as it battles the Google ban.
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