The restrictions on foreign devices are the latest step in Beijing’s drive to reduce its reliance on foreign technology and could hurt Apple’s success in the country.
China has ordered officials from central government agencies to will not use Apple iPhones And other foreign brand devices to work or take them to the office, people familiar with the matter said.
In recent weeks, superiors have instructed staff in focus groups or workplace meetings, the sources said. This directive is the latest step in Beijing’s campaign to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and improve cybersecurity, and comes as part of a campaign to limit the flow of sensitive information across Chinese borders.
Beijing’s decision could have a chilling effect on foreign brands in China, including Apple . Apple dominates the high-end smartphone market in the country and counts China as one of its biggest markets, accounting for around 19% of its total revenue.
It is unclear to what extent these orders were disseminated, but similar messages were communicated to employees of some central government regulators.
China’s State Council Information Office and Apple did not respond to requests for comment.
For years, Beijing arreserved for government officials some agencies to use iPhones for work, but the order has now been expanded, the sources said. The latest order also signals an intensified effort by Beijing to ensure its rules are strictly enforced.
The restrictions imposed by China mirror similar bans in the United States against Huawei Technologies, as well as against officials using TikTok, Chinese-owned, the two superpowers are worried about data leaks amid heightened emphasis on national security and deteriorating relations.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping stressed national security intensifies China’s rivalry with the United States , which has led to increased state control over digital data and activities in recent years. In July, China began implementing a sweeping update to its anti-spy law.
Beijing has urged its state agencies and companies to replace foreign technology, including computers, operating systems and software, with local products they deem safe and controllable.
In 2021, the Chinese government restricts the use of Tesla vehicles by military personnel and employees of key public companies, citing concerns that data collected by cars could be a source of national security leaks, the Wall Street Journal reported. Despite this, Tesla vehicles continued to sell well in the country.
Apple, one of the most important American technology companies that relies on China as a major market and production site, has been largely unaffected by the crisis. technological battle between the two main economic powers of the world. Since most Apple products are assembled in China, Apple is a source of millions of jobs in the country through its contract manufacturers and suppliers.
Over the years, Apple has complied with China’s strict laws on digital freedoms, by removing thousands of apps from its app store that Chinese authorities deemed illegal. They include virtual private network, or VPN, apps that allow users to bypass Chinese internet filters and some gaming apps.
Manzana dominated the Chinese smartphone market with prices topping $600 in recent years after US sanctions affected rival Huawei’s ability to make 5G phones. The Chinese hardware maker recently unveiled a faster flagship phone meant to once again challenge Apple for premium users.
One of the selling points of the iPhone is its security and privacy features. In 2016, Apple fought a legal battle in the United States with the Department of Justice over a dead terrorist’s iPhone when authorities asked Apple for help unlocking the device while Apple resisted.
China requires certain companies, especially foreign ones, to store locally collected data in the country. Companies like Apple and Tesla build and use data centers in China But those moves may not be enough to allay Beijing’s national security concerns.
Beijing’s efforts to the strengthening of cybersecurity in China goes back at least a decade, when Edward Snowden revealed that the US National Security Agency had infiltrated Chinese computer networks in 2013.
One of Beijing’s recent campaigns to replace foreign technology targets the central and local governments as well as various industries, and is widely known as “Xinchuang”, or innovations in information technology applications.
Chinese and Western governments have issued a series of bans on various devices and technologies produced by the other side.
At the end of last year, the United States imposed new export restrictions advanced semiconductor and chip manufacturing equipment with the aim of prevent American technology from advancing China’s military might . In January, Xi urged the country’s policymakers to focus on developing an independent and controllable technology supply chain.
The United States imposed restrictions on manufactured communications equipment by Chinese companies, including Huawei, which Washington has called a national security threat for fear they could spy on Beijing. Huawei denies these accusations.
Also in the United States, many states prohibit public officials from using the TikTok short video app on work devices, such as phones and laptops, as well as on some cases in state Wi-Fi networks. Members of Congress have introduced bills that would ban TikTok nationwide or give more power to the presidential administration.
Source: Latercera
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
