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WSJ: China ordered officials at central government agencies not to use Apple’s iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for work or bring them into the office. The report added that the orders were made by “superiors”.
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China Denies iPhone Ban, but the Devil Is in the Details
published about 6 hours ago
Hard policy decisions denied, but a cultural shift away from Apple could be in the cards.
The Chinese government has clarified media reports that iPhone sales would be banned from use in government administration services. At a press conference this Wednesday, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, explained that as it stands, “China did not issue any law, regulation or policy document that bans the purchase and use of cellphones of foreign brands, such as iPhone.”
But then, the original question wasn’t around a hard ban on Apple products; the original report (courtesy of Wall Street Journal) referred to a soft ban on any Apple technology used at the government level. As that publication wrote, “China ordered officials at central government agencies not to use Apple’s iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for work or bring them into the office.” The report added that the orders were made by “superiors.”
A decision like this doesn’t quite have the same potency as an outright sale and usage ban (in line with the U.S. and Portugal’s ban of Huawei 5G equipment from existing and future infrastructure), but they work the same way.
Yet the devil is usually in the details (especially regarding policy decisions and official communications). Specifically, Mao Ning added that while no laws had been passed banning iPhone sales, the country’s concerns with security and information security (both real-world and cyber) are paramount to the government’s decision. The spokesperson then added, “However, recently, we did notice media reports about security issues related to iPhone.” She added, “The Chinese government attaches great importance to cyber and information security and treats Chinese and foreign companies as equals. We hope all cellphone companies operating in China will strictly abide by China’s laws and regulations.”
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However, the U.S. (and Apple) would have trouble offloading their tech if (or maybe when) the Chinese market rejects some of its most significant efforts – whether through law or culture. It also pays to remember that the spokesperson’s remarks around potential cybersecurity concerns open the window to a more hardline approach to Apple products within the government.
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China’s official response regarding rumored IPhone ban, translated by DeepL:
Financial News Agency Telegraph Financial News Agency 2023-09-13 19:31:41 Wed. Foreign Ministry:
China has no law and regulations prohibiting the purchase and use of foreign brands of cell phones such as Apple.
Spokeswoman Mao Ning hosted a regular press conference. A reporter from TV Asahi of Japan asked: There are media reports that some Chinese government agencies have banned the use of Apple’s mobile phones. Is that true? Is it true that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also banned the use of Apple phones?
Mao Ning: China insists on promoting high-level opening up to the outside world, protecting the rights and interests of foreign investors in accordance with the law, and creating a market-oriented, rule-of-law environment. protect the rights and interests of foreign investors in accordance with the law, and create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, based on the rule of law, and internationalized.
We have always held an open attitude towards foreign-funded enterprises. We welcome foreign enterprises to seize the opportunities of China’s development and share the fruits of China’s economic development. China has not issued a ban on the purchase and use of foreign brand cell phones such as Apple. There are no laws, regulations or policy documents in China that prohibit the purchase and use of foreign brands of cell phones, such as Apple.
However, we did notice recently that there were media reports about the purchase and use of foreign brands of cell phones such as Apple and noticed recently that there have been media reports of security incidents related to Apple phones.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to Internet and information and information security, and treats domestic and foreign enterprises equally. We hope that all mobile phone companies operating in China will be treated equally. We hope that all cell phone companies operating in China will strictly comply with the Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China. We hope that all mobile phone companies operating in China will strictly comply with the Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China and other laws and regulations. and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Personal Information data stored in consumers’ mobile phones from being stolen by any individual or organization, and ensure information security. information security.
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weehingthong 