Reaction to security fears of Chinese company's Canadian contracts

 

by Community Team Posted: May 16, 2012 2:01 PM Last Updated: May 16, 2012

 

Categories: Community

Greg Weston's investigative piece about the participation of Chinese tech giant Huawei in major Canada telecom projects elicited a wide range of response. 

Many in the CBC Community didn't trust a Chinese company with contracts to build major Canadian telecommunications projects. 

• "China is a dictatorship, nobody can deny that. I don't trust tyrants, but I guess that's just me," said 862332.

And some didn't trust American intelligence officials to provide unbiased advice on the potential security threats that Huawei could bring. 

• "Are we Canadians going to let American paranoia dictate our policies?" said Neil Gregory.

And some didn't trust either. 

• "I do not trust the Chinese government, nor Washington's, but they are our neighbour," said Rickieroo.

Some thought that the threats in the article were overstated. 

• "Come on now. This is a bit much. We rely on the Chinese for dirt-cheap goods but as soon as they get something that is better than homegrown technology we scream espionage? Are we still in the colonial era?" said Toronto_Pundit.

Others thought that a bit of prudence would be a good idea. 

• "I have to agree with the U.S. on this one. Or maybe at least we should 'trust but verify,'" said 1000th.

And a couple pointed out that a certain Ottawa-based, dot-com era communications company could use a bit of business these days. 

• "Is there no Canadian company, possibly from Ontario, he could be using? You know, one that is already a world leader in secure wireless communications and could use the contract?" said Colin1981. 
  
• "I'm intrigued that the same government that wouldn't give Nortel the time of day when they were sinking has $6.5 million to hand over to what was then, one of Nortel's key competitors," said plarivie.

And some members of the CBC Community offered some more nuanced opinions on the issue. 

Steve B: 

"I have mixed feelings about this. 

"On one hand, I'm sure that Chinese espionage is a real problem, and that we should very definitely be careful about who gets access to what, especially when dealing with Chinese companies.

"On the other hand, I know from working in the field that Canadians in general are (overwhelmingly) still clueless about basic security practices, even at this relatively late stage, and I would be willing to bet that the vast majority of these security breaches are made possible by a level of negligence that amounts to incompetence. 

"One simple question to be asked: Why were computers with vital secrets connected to Internet in the first place?

"On balance, I think it's probably better to sharpen our game than try to avoid every company that could pose an espionage threat."

Scorpion_Saga:

"It's hard to know who to believe. The Americans are so concerned about China that they have allowed china to be its largest supplier ever of consumer goods. Most American companies, like Apple for example, do most their business in China. 

"So what are they saying? It's ok to deal with Chinese companies when it suits them? Or is there a real threat? Who is to be believed? The fact that Australia has questions might have more weight behind it. 

"It does not matter where you go or live in this global economy, there will always be governments with dark and illegal motives. The U.S. and Canada are no different. I don't trust the U.S. anymore than I trust China for that matter. The U.S. poses much more of a security risk to Canada and the rest of the world, just on their ridiculous Wall Street and banking practices."

STAR FIRE WHEEL: 

"China is a huge customer, and to try to ignore them or refuse doing business with them would be financial suicide, and Harper knows this well.

"Security is a completely separate issue. Nothing that requires security should ever be allowed in any way, onto public networks. That is only common sense."