According to the Chinese government, iPhones have security flaws. The ban on the cell phone has worried the company and the US government.
China recently banned government employees from using iPhones at work. According to the Wall Street Journal, the move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and the country. With the move, employees were notified of the ban by their superiors via an app or in-person meeting. According to the newspaper, the guidance was passed on to the heads of government agencies, but it is not yet known how many people will be affected or which industries will be banned by this measure.
With that, President Joe Biden's administration is concerned about the situation, after the Chinese government claimed it found security issues with the iPhone. At a press conference at the White House, a government representative said the situation is being analyzed. He also called on the Chinese government to be more transparent about the restrictions, revealing the security issues and making it clear which employees are prevented from using the American company's smartphone.
The ban by the Chinese government came just two days before Apple's event to introduce its new line of cell phones, the iPhone 15. Even with the ban, the Chinese government said that the new line can be sold normally in the country and that the government is not issuing guidelines for ordinary citizens.
Continue reading and learn more about this controversial subject that has been causing concern.
Prohibition
After a leak revealed that the country has banned employees from using iPhones in public offices, the government has spoken out on the matter and reported that security issues have been found on the phones and Apple was informed of this fact. The information was revealed by China's Foreign Minister, Mao Ning.
The government did not block purchases of devices from the American company, but it has recommended that people who work in public administration opt for devices that have national technology.
The minister did not provide further details on the government's strategy for dealing with potential security problems. Apple has also not commented on the matter. With this ban, market analysts say that the company could face major problems in the Chinese market, as the country is essential for revenue growth.
According to a US newspaper, other cell phone lines were also banned, but they were not specified by the publication.
Tensions
Tensions between China and the United States escalated in February when the Pentagon spotted Chinese hot air balloons flying over the country. The balloons were shot down by fighter jets in an act that the Chinese government called heinous. At the time, the US claimed the devices were espionage tools, while the Chinese government said they were research equipment.
This incident sparked much discussion about the activities of Chinese companies on American soil. Also in February, the US government ordered government agencies in the country to remove the chinese app TikTok of federal devices and systems. The White House said the measure was taken to ensure the security of sensitive information.
China's iPhone ban is seen as retaliation against the country. The US commerce secretary visited Beijing a few days ago and said American businesspeople had told her it had become impossible to invest in China, pointing to strikes, fines and other measures that made it risky to do business with Asian companies.
