Facebook is the latest company to dramatically sever ties with Huawei

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

• Facebook has banned Huawei from pre-installing Facebook apps on new Huawei phones, Reuters reports.
• Huawei was placed on a trade blacklist by the US Department of Commerce last month, meaning companies have to seek government permission to do business with the Chinese firm.
• Facebook told Reuters that its ban won't affect current Huawei customers who have its apps installed on their phones.
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Facebook has joined the litany of US companies to have cut ties with Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Reuters reported Friday that Facebook will no longer allow Huawei phones to pre-install Facebook's apps, which include Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

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Last month the Trump administration placed Huawei on a trade blacklist, meaning US companies have to seek permission before doing business with the firm, which the government claims poses a national security risk.

Major US companies including Google, Qualcomm, and Intel were quick to sever ties with Huawei, although subsequently, the company obtained a 90-day license from the Department of Commerce to get its house in order.

Read more: Here are all the companies that have cut ties with Huawei, dealing the Chinese tech giant a crushing blow

Facebook told Reuters that its own ban won't affect Huawei phone owners who already have the apps, they will still be able to use them and receive updates.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the ban took immediate effect, encompassing any Huawei phones which have not yet left the factory. Facebook declined to comment on when exactly it came into force.

New Huawei owners would still be able to download Facebook-owned apps from the Google Play Store, but whether Huawei phones will retain access to the Play Store once its license is up is uncertain. That's because Google is cutting Huawei off from the Android operating system.

A Facebook spokeswoman told Business Insider: "We are reviewing the Commerce Department's final rule and the more recently issued temporary general license and taking steps to ensure compliance."

Huawei was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Business Insider.