Facebook is no longer allowing pre-installation of its apps on Huawei phones

In the latest blow for Huawei, Facebook says that it will no longer allow pre-installation of its apps on Huawei phones . Customers who already have Huawei phones will still be able to use its apps and receive updates, Facebook told Reuters. But new Huawei phones will no longer be able to have Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram apps pre-installed. Smartphone vendors often enter business deals to pre-install popular apps such as Facebook. Apps including Twitter and Booking.com also come pre-installed on Huawei phones in many markets. Twitter Inc declined to comment and Booking Holdings did not respond to a request. [caption id=“attachment_6136741” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”]  A Facebook panel is seen during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, in Cannes, France. Reuters[/caption] The move by Facebook dampens the sales outlook for Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, whose **smartphone business became its biggest revenue generator last year** , powered by strong growth in Europe and Asia. Huawei declined to comment. Alphabet Inc’s Google said earlier that it would **no longer provide Android software for Huawei phones** after a 90-day reprieve granted by the US government expires in August. But Google’s Playstore and all Google apps will still be available for current models of Huawei phones including those which have not yet shipped or even been built. The Facebook ban, by contrast, applies to any Huawei phone that has not yet left the factory, according to a person familiar with the matter. Facebook declined to comment on when the suspension took place.

In May, **Washington banned US companies from supplying technology to Huawei** , part of a long-running campaign against the company. The United States alleges that Huawei is too close to the Chinese government and that its telecom network gear and other products could be a conduit for espionage, which Huawei denies. Buyers of current Huawei phone models that do not have Facebook pre-installed would still be able to download it from the Google Playstore. Future versions of Huawei phones, however, will not have access to the Google Playstore and its apps unless the U.S. government changes course. Huawei has said it was prepared for the US action and vowed to work around any disruptions. But some customers at stores in Europe and Asia have told Reuters that they are reluctant to buy Huawei phones in the face of uncertainties, and analysts expect a dramatic drop in Huawei smartphone sales. Read more on the Huawei banning saga: Global smartphone sales in 2019 to see a 3.1 percent dip due to Huawei ban: Canalys US prosecutors ask judge to reject Huawei's motion for seeking information on its lead defense lawyer Huawei is now facing lawsuit in the United States for corporate espionage Huawei could possibly launch the Mate 30-series with Kirin 985, HongMeng OS **Huawei's Android license revoked: What it means for existing Huawei and Honor phone users** **Intel and Qualcomm join Google in cutting off ties with Huawei following Trump ban** **After Huawei blacklist, 'Boycott Apple' campaign gaining steam in China: Report** **German chipmaker Infineon suspends shipments to Huawei after US trade blacklist** Huawei is reportedly releasing its own Android alternative called IndeoenOS this fall **Huawei accuses US of bullying, says working with Google to respond to ban** **Huawei doesn't mention Android at its new Honor 20 series smartphone launch event** **Huawei's trade ban by the US could advance local Chinese chip suppliers** **Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei claims the US's 90-day reprieve does not bear 'much impact'** Some Huawei Mobile users are considering a switch after Google suspension