CHINESE-STYLE surveillance is not what we want in the UK.
But, today, there is growing concern that such a future might well bedevil us if Huawei’s telecoms equipment is integrated into the UK’s next-generation 5G mobile network.
The Chinese company is already involved in our telecommunications infrastructure, but the roll-out of this new network would see its role increase exponentially.
And it’s not simply a matter of a better phone signal.
The network will encompass every possible aspect of our lives, running ‘smart’ cities with interconnected services, communicating constantly and seamlessly, without our input.
We will be highly dependent upon it - and there’s the problem.
Critics warn that China could order Huawei to skim personal data, undermine network security, disrupt critical infrastructure and launch cyber-attacks under a 2017 law requiring Chinese companies to comply with its intelligence services.
Interestingly, Huawei has been refused access to 5G mobile networks in Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, a recent CIA report disclosed that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, among other Chinese state bodies, funds Huawei, while our own National Cyber Security Centre damns their security as “shoddy”.
The US, one of the ‘five eyes’ intelligence-sharing countries, (comprising UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand), has threatened to cease co-operation with us if we go ahead.
The State Department describes giving access to Huawei as offering a “loaded gun” to “an authoritarian regime with very different values about the use of data”.
Despite this, a Cabinet-level leak revealed that Mrs May will allow Huawei limited participation in 5G, despite objections from ministers.
Sacked former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was allegedly the culprit, despite fierce denials.
Well, we’ve been warned, and the repercussions will be serious if the Government has miscalculated.