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China Implements Ban on Government Officials Using iPhones for Work

tech360.tv

Updated: Jan 8, 2024

In a recent development, China has issued a ban on government officials from using iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for work purposes or bringing them into the office.

iPhone
Credits: Reuters

The ban was reportedly communicated by superiors to their staff in the past few weeks. The extent of the distribution of these orders remains unclear.


The ban comes just ahead of an upcoming Apple event, where analysts anticipate the launch of a new line of iPhones. This move has raised concerns among foreign companies operating in China, as tensions between China and the United States continue to escalate.


While the Wall Street Journal report did not mention any other phone makers besides Apple, it is worth noting that China has been striving to reduce its reliance on foreign technologies for over a decade. The country has been encouraging state-affiliated firms to switch to local software and promoting domestic chip manufacturing.


China's increased efforts to reduce reliance on overseas markets and technology have been driven by concerns over data security. In 2020, the country proposed a "dual circulation" growth model to achieve self-reliance in technology. This move has further intensified the race between China and the United States.


Sino-U.S. tensions have been on the rise, with Washington working with its allies to limit China's access to crucial equipment necessary for its chip industry. In response, Beijing has imposed restrictions on shipments from prominent U.S. companies such as Boeing and Micron Technology.


During a recent visit to China, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo acknowledged that U.S. companies had expressed concerns about the risks of doing business in China. She stated that fines, raids and other actions had made China an "uninvestible" market.


China's ban on government officials using iPhones mirrors similar actions taken by the United States against Chinese smartphone maker Huawei Technologies and the short video platform TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance. As one of Apple's largest markets, China accounts for nearly one-fifth of the company's revenue. The ban on government officials using iPhones for work purposes could have significant implications for Apple's operations in the country.

 
  • China has banned government officials from using iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for work.

  • The ban comes ahead of an Apple event where a new line of iPhones is expected to be launched.

  • China has been striving to reduce reliance on foreign technologies for over a decade.

Source: REUTERS

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