What’s new: China’s foreign ministry has responded to reports that some Chinese government agencies have banned the use of iPhones, saying no “law, regulation or policy document that bans the purchase and use of cellphones of foreign brands” has been issued.
“However, recently we did notice media reports about security issues related to iPhone,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing on Wednesday.
“The Chinese government attaches great importance to cyber and information security and treats Chinese and foreign companies as equals,” she added. “We hope all cellphone companies operating in China will strictly abide by China’s laws and regulations” and “protect consumers’ data stored in the cellphones against theft by any individual or organization.”
The background: Foreign media outlets including the Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported last week that some Chinese government agencies had barred staff from using iPhones at work, citing unnamed sources. The reports led to Apple Inc. suffering its worst stock decline in a month, Bloomberg reported.
Beijing and Washington are in the midst of an escalating tech war, primarily focused on national security. Last month, Washington imposed new investment restrictions on China’s high-tech sector, adding to existing strict controls on exports of semiconductor technology to China.
Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Jonathan Breen (jonathanbreen@caixin.com)
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