Government Officials Ban Use of iPhones: The Chinese government has asked all government employees not to use iPhones. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that China had ordered officials of central government agencies not to use Apple’s iPhone and other foreign-branded devices for work or bring them to the office.
The new policy is an attempt by China to reduce its dependence on foreign technology and limit the flow of sensitive information out of the country.
The WSJ reports that employees at some central agencies have been instructed by their superiors not to bring such devices into the office through chat groups or meetings, but it’s not yet clear how broad those orders are. China has banned government officials in certain agencies from using iPhones for several years, but the latest order is to ensure that the rule is strictly enforced.
According to a Reuters report, China has downsized its chip industry due to tensions between China and the US. The Chinese government is set to ban the use of Tesla vehicles by state-owned companies and military personnel in 2021, the WSJ reports, due to concerns that the data collected by the cars could be the source of national security leaks.
