Banning China from 5G networks will make world less safe, warns top cyber spy

BANNING China from 5G networks will make the world less safe, a top cyber spy has warned. The ex-head of cyber security at the government’s listening post GCHQ, said “banging China out” would split the internet in two and make attacks between each side more likely. China relies on western tech – its army uses […]

BANNING China from 5G networks will make the world less safe, a top cyber spy has warned.

The ex-head of cyber security at the government’s listening post GCHQ, said “banging China out” would split the internet in two and make attacks between each side more likely.

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GCHQ’s ex-head of cyber security has warned that banning China from 5G networks would split the web in two and make the world less safe[/caption]

China relies on western tech – its army uses Microsoft Windows and the telecoms firm Huawei uses hi-tech US chips to make its 5G kit, he said.

“The tactic of banging China out, and encouraging allies to do the same pushes us down a strategic path that, in the end, makes the globe less secure,” he warned.

“It is far more sensible to think of a future with them entangled and entwined with US and Chinese technology.”

A global US crackdown on companies selling chips to Huawei will bolster Beijing’s homegrown tech firms and lead to a “splinternet,” he said.

“You end up with two separate eco-systems in cyberspace. The free world model or the Chinese surveillance model which can look very attractive to a lot of the developing world.”

The former spy, who served more than 30 years, insisted Britain could manage the risk posed by Huawei’s current 5G kit.

He dismissed US threats to stop intelligence sharing if Britain used 5G as “spurious”.

Boris Johnson has faced a backlash from Tory MPs calling for Huawei to be banned from Britain’s 5G network on security grounds.

“The idea Beijing will change its ways and stop trying to export its dictatorial system if we adopt Huawei tech is laughable,” said Neil O’Brien, a Conservative MP and founder of the China Research Group.

Nato’s chief Jens Stoltenburg warned China was changing the global balance of power yesterday and he urged like minded countries to stand up to its “bullying and coercion”.

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