Popular smartphone brand at the center of a spy scandal
A criminal trial against Chinese Huawei begins in New York on charges of long-term industrial espionage. The key episode is the theft of technologies from T-Mobile, including the Tappy robot. The prosecution alleges that the company encouraged employees to obtain confidential information about competitors.
A high-profile criminal trial against Chinese technology company Huawei begins in New York. US authorities accuse it of long-term industrial espionage, illegal acquisition of technologies and commercial information of competitors. The company denies the charges. The key episode of the case is the story of the Tappy robot, which was used by American T-Mobile for testing smartphones. According to the prosecution, Huawei employees photographed the device, took measurements, and collected technical information. In 2013, one employee allegedly removed part of the Tappy robotic arm from the lab in a laptop bag. The prosecution cites other episodes: a Huawei employee was allegedly found near a competitor's booth after an exhibition, photographing the internal structure of a device. The prosecutor's office claims that Huawei encouraged employees to obtain confidential information through an encrypted mailbox, paying additional bonuses. Jury selection has begun in New York. If convicted, the company faces serious financial penalties and possible asset forfeiture.