Fears for national security linked to the collection of data by foreign groups are exacerbated in a context of rivalry between China and the United States. (Photo: 123RF)
China assured Wednesday that it would not ban the Apple iPhone or “other foreign brand phones” in its ministries, after press reports reporting restrictions in certain administrations.
The American business daily Wall Street Journal said last week that the authorities were prohibiting certain civil servants from using the iPhone for professional purposes to protect themselves from the risk of espionage.
“China has no laws, regulations or directives that prohibit the purchase or use of foreign brand phones, including the iPhone,” a spokesperson for Chinese diplomacy told the press. Mao Ning.
This is the first official reaction from Beijing on this subject.
These assertions do not, however, exclude the possibility that oral instructions could have been given as is sometimes customary in China.
“We have noted numerous articles exposing security issues related to the iPhone,” added the spokesperson, assuring that Chinese and foreign companies are treated in China on “an equal footing”.
Mao Ning did not specify which press articles she was referring to.
Such a ban would pose a challenge for Apple, as China is its largest overseas market.
In the wake of the Wall Street Journal’s revelations last Wednesday, the market capitalization of the Cupertino, California firm had fallen by more than $100 billion in a single session.
Suspicions of espionage
Fears for national security linked to the collection of data by foreign groups are exacerbated in a context of rivalry between China and the United States.
Since 2019, sanctions from Washington have cut off Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from global supply chains for American components and technologies.
The United States suspects a spying enterprise for the benefit of Beijing, which the firm disputes.
The United States is also putting pressure on its allies to ban all Huawei equipment for their 5G network, arguing that Beijing could use the group’s installations to monitor a country’s communications and data traffic.
This clarification from Beijing about Apple comes the day after the presentation in the United States of the iPhone 15, the brand’s latest model.
Despite geopolitical tensions with the United States, Apple and its products continue to enjoy unwavering popularity in China.
In March, Tim Cook, Apple CEO, visited Beijing and notably declared that his company had a “symbiotic” relationship with China.
Apple established itself in the country in 1993 and the Asian giant is for the brand its main production center for its smartphones, computers, tablets and electronic accessories.
