China Bans Government Officials from Using iPhones

While the U.S. is tightening restrictions on the use of TikTok on government devices, China has also decided to limit its officials. According to Reuters, the Chinese government has instructed officials from the central government not to use iPhones and other foreign smartphone brands at work.

These instructions were issued "in recent weeks," and it is unknown how many institutions received them. However, it is worth noting that Beijing has long implemented a similar practice, prohibiting some officials from using iPhones.

This news comes amid increasing tension between Beijing and Washington in the technology sector. China aims for self-sufficiency under these circumstances, and this could significantly impact Apple, which received a fifth of its revenue from the country in 2022.

In 2019, Beijing had already blacklisted Apple and other foreign companies for government agencies. At that time, the Chinese government planned to abandon Western equipment within three years in favor of local alternatives. These measures were part of the 2017 Cybersecurity Law, aimed at keeping data within China's borders and exerting control over technologies.

Ultimately, Apple managed to navigate these restrictions, likely due to its collaboration with Foxconn and other suppliers in China, where millions of people work. The tech giant also complied with local laws by removing thousands of illegal programs, such as VPNs.

For over a decade, China has been working to reduce its reliance on foreign technology by requiring state-owned companies, including banks, to switch to domestic software and encouraging local semiconductor chip production.

Beijing intensified this campaign in 2020 when its leaders proposed the "dual circulation" growth model to reduce dependence on foreign markets and technologies, as concerns about data security grew.

Recently, Huawei introduced its new smartphone, the Mate 60 Pro. Its standout feature is the Kirin 9000s processor, manufactured in China by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. This processor is the first Chinese chip produced using advanced 7nm technology, indicating that the Chinese government is taking steps toward creating its own ecosystem of modern chips.