Huawei and Optica were previously reported to have cut ties, likely due to U.S. pressure, but that has not stopped lawmakers from prying deeper into their investigation. The top Republican and Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Frank Lucas and Zoe Lofgren, have criticized Optica CEO Elizabeth Rogan for actively engaging with an entity that has been on the U.S. trade ban and believes that the initial responses provided by the company have been inconsistent with the latest findings.
U.S. lawmakers state that Optica did not properly acknowledge the full extent of Huawei’s influence during the two’s earlier alliance
To recap on what transpired previously, Huawei was found to be quietly funding global research and academics and was funneling money through Optica Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit. Huawei was discovered to have awarded millions in prize money to scientists since 2022, with Optica’s Board of Directors aware of the arrangement between the two parties.
Elizabeth Rogan responded earlier that this practice was nothing unusual. Now, as reported by Bloomberg, the two U.S. lawmakers already mentioned above sent a follow-up letter to Rogan, requesting responses to unanswered questions about how Optica characterized its business relationship with Huawei. The rest of the details are given below:
“We do not believe Optica properly acknowledged the full extent of Huawei’s influence in its response to the Committee. Our ability to fully assess the implications of Optica’s relationship with Huawei in terms of research security policymaking is undermined by our incomplete understanding of its scope. As the research ecosystem at large has adapted, it seems that Optica has remained locked in an outdated posture, deepening its relationship with Huawei as the company is slapped with sanctions by multiple government agencies. The only demonstrable risk awareness Optica has displayed is the secrecy required to protect its own reputation.”
While Huawei was not available to comment, an Optica spokesperson said that it will continue cooperating with the congressional inquiry and that ‘scientific and engineering organizations have always worked with colleagues and countries around the globe to advance exploration and discovery.’ Optica later returned the funds to Huawei, which the committee said was a positive development but did not completely relieve their concerns.
Given the ever-growing hostility between the U.S. and China, Optica has been accused of being aware of the security risk of partnering with an overseas company that is included in the trade sanctions. Elizabeth Rogan was also lambasted for making undisclosed stops at Huawei’s headquarters during her travels to China, a fact that was unearthed by a whistle-blower in the form of an Optica employee. Even though the relationship between the two companies would likely have been just to promote research, it is not sitting well with U.S. authorities, so it may take months for this investigation to conclude.
News Source: Bloomberg
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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