Google has barred phone maker Huawei off from some updates to the Android operating system, dealing a blow to the Chinese firm.

New Huawei smartphones will also lose access to popular Google apps.

The move comes after the Trump administration added Huawei to a list of companies that American firms cannot trade with unless they have a licence.

In a statement, Google said it was "complying with the order and reviewing the implications".

Huawei declined to comment.

Huawei will no longer get Google's security updates and technical support, and any new devices will no longer have apps such as YouTube and Maps.

Existing Huawei smartphone users will be able to update apps and push through security fixes, as well as update Google Play services. But if Google releases a new version of Android, Huawei won't be able to offer the update on its phones.

Huawei can still use the version of the Android operating system available through an open source licence.

Ben Wood, from the CCS Insight consultancy, said the move by Google would have "big implications for Huawei's consumer business".

Last Wednesday the Trump administration added Huawei to its "entity list" which bans the company from acquiring technology from US firms without government approval.
In his first comments since being placed on the list, Huawei chief executive Ren Zhengfei told Japanese media on Saturday: "We have already been preparing for this."

Source: BBC

BDST: 1020 HRS, MAY 20, 2019
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