Going the privacy route makes sense for e.g. Apple because it's a moat they can dig that Google can not follow. For the same reason that Google can't follow -reputation-, however, Huawei can't either. Too many of the people for whom privacy would be a selling point do not trust China or companies with ties to China.

They might be able to pull it off, but it's an uphill battle, so I wouldn't expect them to try.

Edit: OK, it's not exactly* the same reason as Google, as Google is practically unable to build privacy-preserving features without harming their primary revenue streams, whereas China might not force Huawei to not build privacy-protecting features. They do share a reputation problem though.

Going purely by target markets, I don't see how being privacy-focused would benefit them. The vocal minority that actually really cares about this is pretty small so it's not like that would net them any kind of real income.

I'd be very surprised if Huawei build a privacy focused OS.

Xaiomi are basically the only global competitors for an android privacy phone against Pixels. What makes you think Huawei couldn't do it?

Because Huawei is based in China.

There's literally an article on the frontpage right now that talks about how WeChat (also based in China) is heavily censored, moderated, and how people have been arrested for things they said in "private" chats.

Why? In contrast to Google they are not in the advertising business.

They are however headquartered in China which has much more privacy-intrusive policies/demands.

Chinese megacorps are in the funneling money and info to the CCP business.

Data is the new oil.

> what assurances it will make in terms of privacy

The Chinese government will ensure no privacy will actually exist.