The CIA has reportedly accused Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei of being backed by China’s state security apparatus.
The People’s Liberation Army, China’s National Security Commission and a third intelligence organization gave money to Huawei, according to American intelligence shared with Britain, The Times reported Saturday, citing a U.K. source.
The U.S. reportedly also shared the information with Australia, New Zealand and Canada earlier this year. The countries are part of what is collectively known as the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, as they share information with one another.
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A spokesperson for Huawei dismissed the allegations in a statement to The Times.
“Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources,” a Huawei representative told the British newspaper.
The company and the CIA did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on Saturday.
The federal government has claimed that Huawei’s technology could be accessed by Chinese intelligence and has attempted to extradite its chief financial officer over alleged violations of trade sanctions with Iran.
Huawei is currently engaged in a lawsuit with the U.S. government over its ban on government use of its products. The company has denied U.S. assertions that its hardware can be accessed by Chinese intelligence.