Facebook won't allow the pre-installation of its apps on Huawei smartphones anymore, following the US that restricts it from purchasing tech American components and software.
According to Reuters, new Huawei phones won't come pre-installed with Facebook family of apps. That is, Huawei won't be able to include apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram out of the box on their phones as it does with other pre-loaded services.
However, Huawei users on their own will still be able to download the apps and make use of them, and even receive updates from the Google Play Store and App Store.
Smartphone makers do enter business deals to pre-install apps such as Twitter, Facebook, Opera News, Ali Express, etc. on their device in many markets. Twitter which usually comes pre-installed on many Huawei devices declined to comment on the issue.
Following the US trade ban on Huawei, Google secured a 90-day temporary license to continue to deal with Huawei and provide security updates to existing Huawei phones. Facebook, however, didn't make a move to remedy the situation.
A person familiar with the situation told Reuters that the Facebook ban applies to Huawei phones that hasn't yet left the factory. Facebook declined to comment on when the suspension took place.
The Facebook ban isn't necessarily disturbing as that of Google and ARM, which restricts Huawei from using core Android services to develop its own chips.