In a recent press conference, the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, showcased a Huawei smartphone that was a gift from China’s President Xi Jinping. He boldly declared it to be “the best phone in the world,” while making a striking assertion about its security.
Maduro confidently stated, “The Americans can’t hack it, neither their spy planes, nor their satellites.” This claim raises eyebrows, especially considering the capabilities of U.S. intelligence agencies.
The device appeared to be a Mate X6, a foldable smartphone that Huawei launched in 2024. While Maduro’s enthusiasm is evident, the reality of cybersecurity suggests that no device is entirely impervious to hacking attempts.
Experts in cybersecurity have pointed out that U.S. government hackers are among the most skilled in the world, making it highly unlikely that any device, including those from Huawei, is completely safe from their reach.
A vulnerability researcher based in the U.S. shared insights with TechCrunch, noting that because Huawei develops both its hardware and its mobile operating system, HarmonyOS, its devices may present more vulnerabilities. “There are likely to be more flaws in their new code compared to established systems like iOS and Android at this stage,” the researcher, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained.
Like any software, HarmonyOS is not without its flaws and requires regular updates to maintain security. For the Mate X6, Huawei has committed to providing monthly security patches, although the frequency of updates may vary depending on the carrier.
In fact, just last month, Huawei addressed 60 vulnerabilities in HarmonyOS, with 13 categorized as high severity. This highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in software security.
Huawei has acknowledged the potential for malware to infiltrate its devices and has established resources to assist customers who may suspect their devices have been compromised.
Despite requests for comments, Huawei has not responded. However, there is a well-documented history of U.S. government hackers targeting Huawei. In 2014, leaked documents revealed that the NSA had successfully infiltrated Huawei’s servers in China, installing backdoors that allowed them to monitor communications and gather intelligence on the company’s products.
According to the leaked NSA documents, many targets were known to use Huawei products, prompting the agency to ensure they could exploit these devices to access networks of interest globally.
Although these events occurred several years ago, it is highly probable that U.S. intelligence agencies continue to focus on Huawei devices, seeking vulnerabilities for espionage purposes. There are likely dedicated teams within the government tasked with the mission of hacking into Huawei systems. Earlier this year, the Chinese government accused the NSA of launching cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in China, further illustrating the ongoing tensions in cybersecurity between the two nations.