Microsoft Bans Android Devices in China, Provides iPhones to Employees
Pune, 10th July 2024: Microsoft has mandated its employees in its China office to switch from Android smartphones to iPhones, providing them with iPhone 15 devices to facilitate this transition. This move, effective in September, is part of Microsoft’s efforts to enhance cybersecurity and protect against data breaches, especially in light of increased cyber threats from state-sponsored hackers.
Microsoft, a prominent name in the technology industry, has become increasingly vigilant about its security measures. In response to rising cybersecurity concerns, the company is implementing significant changes, including the discontinuation of Android phone usage in its China office. This new policy will be enforced under Microsoft’s Global Secure Future Initiative (SFI), aiming to improve employee cybersecurity practices.
According to a Bloomberg report, Microsoft employees in China will soon be required to verify their identities when logging into work computers or phones, using only Apple devices. This decision highlights the growing divide between Chinese and foreign mobile ecosystems. While Apple’s iOS store is available in China, Google Play is not, prompting local smartphone brands like Huawei and Xiaomi to offer their platforms. The absence of Google’s mobile services in China has driven Microsoft’s decision to provide iPhone 15 devices to its employees.
Tarun Garg, COO of Hyundai Motor India, commented on the move, saying, “We are thrilled to introduce the Hyundai Exter Knight, embodying the adventurous spirit of today’s young Indian buyers. The Hyundai Exter has received positive feedback from customers, with over 93,000 units sold so far. Leveraging the popularity of black among SUV customers, the Hyundai Exter Knight reflects the evolving aspirations of customers. With its youthful and premium design, the Hyundai Exter Knight aims to attract customers to explore uncharted territories while offering an exhilarating experience of living the Hyundai SUV life. Black often symbolizes modernity, elegance, power, and sophistication, commonly associated with SUVs, and we are confident that the Hyundai Exter Knight, with its stunning road presence and offerings, will meet the aspirations of Indian customers.”
This move is in response to Microsoft’s increasing security concerns. The Bloomberg report mentions that the company has faced repeated attacks from state-sponsored hackers, which affected dozens of US government agencies in January. By mandating the use of iPhones and providing the latest devices to its employees, Microsoft aims to mitigate these risks and enhance the overall security of its operations in China.
