The corruption affair involving Huawei in the European Parliament highlights the dubious practices of certain industrialists to influence European regulations, particularly in terms of protecting the health of users of cell phones and connected objects in the context of the development of 5G.
Regular” and ‘very discreet’ bribery practices
According to ongoing investigations, Huawei has been engaging in bribery “regularly” and “very discreetly” since 2021, under the guise of commercial lobbying. The methods employed included:
- Remuneration for political stances
- Inordinate gifts
- Financial payments
The scope of this case is considerable, with 21 raids carried out in Belgium and Portugal, as well as arrests in Belgium and France. Five people have been charged, including four for active corruption and criminal organization, and one for money laundering. The European Parliament has temporarily suspended access to its buildings for Huawei representatives and lobbyists.
Potentially serious consequences for public health
This case raises serious concerns about the integrity of decision-making processes at European level, particularly with regard to:
- The regulation of 5G technologies
- Consumer protection against the potential risks associated with electromagnetic radiation.
It is crucial to remember that agencies such as ANSES in 2019, and France through a formal objection in 2020 before the European Commission are already recommending measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation from cell phones, notably by carrying out SAR compliance measurements in contact with the body. However, to date, no measures have been taken to prevent overexposure to our smartphones!
A call for vigilance and action
For Dr Marc Arazi, the person behind the revelations about the dangers to our health from overexposure to cell phones:
“The Phonegate scandal showed that manufacturers of cell phones and connected objects knowingly misled millions of European users about radiofrequency measurements to avoid revealing the real health risks. Today, with the Huawei affair, we see that these same manufacturers will stop at nothing to influence political decisions. It’s time for citizens to demand real transparency and strict regulation to protect their health.”
In light of these revelations, we call for a thorough investigation into the influence of lobbyists in decisions concerning public health and the regulation of wireless technologies. It is imperative to strengthen control and transparency mechanisms within the European institutions to ensure that public health interests take precedence over commercial interests.
Related article:
Written question from MP Mathieu Lefèvre: a strong signal to protect the health of cell phone users
