Griezmann Cuts Ties with Huawei Over Uyghur Treatment
French footballer Antoine Griezmann has announced that he is ending all affiliations with Chinese technology giant Huawei after media reports came out announcing that the company had tested its facial recognition software for surveillance of the Muslim Uyghur minority group. Griezmann announced yesterday through his official Instagram account that he is ending his partnership with the tech company and asks Huawei to condemn the “mass repression” of the Muslim Uyghurs as well.
Antoine Griezmann is a French footballer who plays for the French national team Equipe de France de Football and the Spanish football club Barcelona as well. He plays at the forward position in both teams. His senior football career began in 2009 with Real Sociedad (2009-2014), followed by Atlético Madrid (2014-2019) and then Barcelona (2019-current). He has also been playing for French national teams since 2010, starting with France U19, France U20, France U21, and then the French national team as of 2014 onwards.
Recently, he took to Instagram to post a message in both Spanish and French to speak up against the mass repression of the Muslim Uyghurs, condemning the way they are treated, asking Huawei to not even both denying the accusations and plainly asking the company to condemn the treatment:
Original French message:
“Suite aux forts soupçons selon lesquels l’entreprise Huawei aurait contribué au développement d’une “alerte ouïghour” gräce à un logiciel de reconnaissance faciale, j’annonce que je mets un terme immédiat à mon partenariat me liant à cette société.
J’en profite pour inviter Huawei à ne pas se contenter de nier ces accusations mais à engager au plus vite des actions concrètes pour condamner cette rèprèssion de masse et user de son influence pour contribuer au respect des droits de l’homme et de la femme au sein de la société.”
Translated Version via Google Translate:
“Following strong suspicions that the Huawei company has contributed to the development of a “Uyghur alert” thanks to facial recognition software, I announce that I am putting an immediate end to my partnership linking me to this company.
I take this opportunity to invite Huawei not to just deny these accusations but to take concrete actions as quickly as possible to condemn this mass repression and use its influence to contribute to respect for the rights of man and woman within society.”
Credit: SIPA USA/PA Images
