China’s central government bodies have issued instructions that effectively bar the use of iPhones and other devices from foreign brands for official work. The Wall Street Journal reports that the guidance came from multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Notice of the foreign-device ban spread through official channels such as internal chats, formal announcements, and confidential meetings. It sets a rule not only against using these devices on the job but also against bringing them into government offices. Already in place in certain agencies, the restrictions are widening to reach a broader cohort of officials. Concurrently, the state is stepping up a long-running effort to replace foreign computers and software with domestic alternatives.
The rationale given for the new limits ties to growing tensions between China and the United States, with both sides taking sharper steps to safeguard their information and communications networks. Experts warn that the policy could impact Apple, a dominant player in China’s premium smartphone segment that contributes a notable share of the company’s revenue, estimated at roughly one fifth of its global income tied to China.
In 2019, the United States placed Huawei on a national security blacklist, a move that reshaped how American authorities treated Chinese tech firms. The US government also restricted government procurement of telecom equipment from several Chinese companies, including ZTE, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Dahua Technology, citing security concerns. These measures have created a tense backdrop for technology trade and collaboration across the bilateral landscape.
Earlier reports from the Ministry of Digital Development indicated plans to explore conversations with Samsung and Apple about the pre-installation of a domestic storage and services ecosystem named Russtore, signaling a push toward broader domestic software and hardware ecosystems that could reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. These developments reflect a broader trend in which national strategies increasingly prioritize local capability in the digital infrastructure landscape, shaping decisions across both public administration and industry networks. [WSJ]