Google restricts Huawei from using Android: Here's what that could mean for you

Google has blocked telecoms company Huawei from using apps on its phones in the latest blow to the Chinese firm.

Huawei is one of a number of phone manufacturers who use the Google-developed Android operating systems on its phones and tablets.

The move comes after US President Donalnd Trump added Huawei to a list of companies that US firms cannot trade with if they don't have a licence.

The US claims Chinese companies such as Huawei may be obliged to spy for Beijing and steal trade secrets - an accusation that Huawei has denied.

In a statement, Google said it was "complying with the order and reviewing the implications".

What do the restrictions mean for users?

Google has cut off Huawei's licence - meaning users of new Huawei phones will no longer be able to use apps like Maps and Gmail and will not have access to security updates.

It will halt business activities with Huawei that involve transfer of hardware, software and technical services that are not publicly available - meaning Huawei will also only be able to use the open source version of Android, a source close to the matter told AFP.

This means existing customers of Huawei phones, or Google Nexus phones whose hardware was made by Huawei, will be able to update their phones and apps, but will not be able to update to a newer version of the Android operating system if one becomes available.

Why has this happened?

Trump's executive order last week apparently aimed at banning Huawei's equipment from US networks and said it was subjecting the Chinese company to strict export controls.

The order - which empowers the US government to ban the technology and services of "foreign adversaries" deemed to pose "unacceptable risks" to national security - did not name specific countries or companies.

Retired brigadier general Robert Spalding, the former senior director for strategy at the National Security Council, wrote in the Daily Telegraph that the UK "must recognise" the strength of US feeling on Huawei.

He wrote: "Other nations must not make the mistake of thinking President Trump's recent executive order banning companies like Huawei from US networks is merely an afterthought of the trade war.

"The severity of President Trump's declaration underscores just how seriously the US views this issue, and the UK must recognise this strength of feeling.

"To miss the significance of his actions would be a grave misjudgment of how seriously we take our security in an ever-more dangerous world."