Ethical Hacking News
Spain awards €12.3 million in contracts to Huawei, sparking concerns over potential Chinese government access due to the company's ties to Beijing.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has awarded a €12.3 million contract to Huawei for managing and storing judicially authorized wiretaps.These systems store and classify intercepted communications for law enforcement, adhering to National Security Framework standards.The awarding of this contract has raised concerns among sectors of the Spanish National Police and Civil Guard due to Huawei's ties to the Chinese Communist Party.Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously supported Huawei, opposing EU efforts to restrict its role in 5G networks.Cybersecurity experts are expressing growing unease about potential Chinese government access to sensitive information through these contracts.The award highlights concerns about China's substantial ties to Beijing and its extensive involvement in 5G infrastructure development and deployment.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has awarded a substantial contract worth €12.3 million ($14.3 million) to Huawei, a Chinese tech giant, for managing and storing judicially authorized wiretaps used by law enforcement and intelligence agencies. This development has sparked concerns among cybersecurity experts and politicians alike, as it raises questions about potential Chinese government access to sensitive information due to the company's substantial ties to Beijing.
Between 2021 and 2025, Spain awarded centralized contracts for digital storage of court-ordered wiretaps to Huawei, utilizing its OceanStor 6800 V5 servers. These systems store and classify intercepted communications for law enforcement, adhering to National Security Framework standards and ICT Security Guidelines set by the National Cryptologic Center (CCN-STIC). The contracts, part of routine procurement processes managed by the General Directorate for the Rationalization and Centralization of Procurement, were publicly tendered and are listed on the State Procurement Platform.
The awarding of these contracts has raised concerns among sectors of the Spanish National Police and Civil Guard, who have expressed unease over Huawei's continued provision of sensitive systems for police forces. Internal sources from both forces have highlighted a strategic inconsistency in terms of security, as they attempt to exercise extreme caution with foreign programs but entrust this data to a company linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
This development is particularly notable given Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's previously supportive stance towards Huawei, opposing EU efforts to restrict the company's role in 5G networks. This stance contrasts with the more cautious approach taken by US and many EU states, which have been critical of China's involvement in the development and deployment of 5G infrastructure.
Huawei's OceanStor is a high-end yet cost-effective storage system, favored over Western alternatives for its affordability. The system is widely used in Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, however concerns persist over Huawei's ties to the Chinese state. Despite lacking certification from Spain's intelligence agency (CNI), Huawei was integrated into Spain's wiretap infrastructure.
In light of this development, experts are expressing growing unease about the potential for Chinese government access to sensitive information through these contracts. "The contrast between official European discourse and the Spanish reality has fueled doubts about the coherence of the government's cybersecurity strategy," concludes a report published by The Objective newspaper. "While some countries are strengthening their digital shielding against possible foreign interference, Spain continues to entrust highly sensitive tasks to a company facing serious intelligence warnings."
This development is also being closely watched in other parts of Europe and beyond, where there have been concerns about Chinese involvement in the development and deployment of 5G infrastructure. In November 2019, the US Federal Communications Commission cut off government funding for equipment from the Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE due to security concerns.
In January 2020, the EU's executive Commission presented a set of rules and technical measures aimed at reducing cybersecurity risks from the adoption of 5G. The Commission's recommendations included blocking high-risk equipment suppliers from "critical and sensitive" components of 5G infrastructures, such as the core. While the Commission did not explicitly mention companies, a clear reference is to the Chinese firm Huawei.
In recent years, there have been numerous reports about China's substantial ties to Beijing and its government's extensive involvement in various sectors, including tech, finance, and military. The use of such powerful state-owned enterprises as Huawei raises significant concerns about the potential for espionage and other forms of foreign interference.
As this award highlights, Spain's decision to award a substantial contract to Huawei has sparked renewed debate about cybersecurity and national security. Experts are urging caution and vigilance in light of China's extensive involvement in 5G infrastructure development and deployment. While it is essential to recognize the benefits that can be derived from collaboration with foreign companies, it is equally important to prioritize the security and integrity of sensitive information.
In this context, it remains to be seen how Spain will proceed in addressing these concerns, particularly given its Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's previously supportive stance towards Huawei. Will the Spanish government take concrete steps to mitigate potential risks associated with these contracts, or will it continue to prioritize cooperation with China over cybersecurity concerns?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this award highlights the growing awareness and concern about the potential for Chinese government access to sensitive information through various means. As experts and policymakers grapple with these complex issues, it is essential that they prioritize transparency, accountability, and cybersecurity above all else.
In conclusion, Spain's decision to award a substantial contract to Huawei has sparked renewed debate about cybersecurity and national security. With its extensive involvement in 5G infrastructure development and deployment, China poses a significant threat to global cybersecurity. As experts and policymakers navigate these complex issues, it is essential that they prioritize transparency, accountability, and cybersecurity above all else.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Awareness-Grows-Over-Spains-Huawei-Contract-Awards-A-Global-Cybersecurity-Concern-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/179884/intelligence/spain-awarded-e12-3-million-in-contracts-to-huawei.html
Published: Mon Jul 14 04:23:51 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
