More than 6,000 Microsoft employees in China will use iPhone 15 exclusively!
Last year China banned the use of Apple’s iPhone and other foreign technology devices in its government agencies, this year Microsoft has decided to ban the use of Chinese-made devices among its employees, although for different reasons. According to an internal memo found by Bloombergstarting in September 2024, Microsoft will force its employees to replace their Android devices with an iPhone 15.
While fear of cybersecurity threats and political tensions accelerated this decision by the Chinese government, in the case of Microsoft, The migration to the iPhone seeks to unify the operating system used by its employees in China.
Microsoft employees in China will only be able to use iPhones
Since 2010, the Google app store has not operated in mainland China, which means that, Android users to turn to alternative platforms such as those managed by Huawei or Xiaomi, which have been blocked by Microsoftleaving the App Store as the most obvious alternative.
Microsoft’s move from Android to iPhone in China is not just about strengthening information security in the company, but also has a practical goal: facilitate the use of Microsoft Authenticator and Identity Pass applications, the company said.
In addition, it is also taken into account the fragmented nature of Android, which makes it difficult to implement unified security protocolsand the differences in mobile ecosystems between China and the rest of the world.
To speed up the transition, Microsoft will provide iPhone 15s to all employees currently using Android smartphones, and will set up device collection points at its facilities in China. The measure also will affect the company’s employees in Hong Kongalthough Google Play is available there.
Microsoft in China
Microsoft’s decision could have a significant impact on the smartphone market in China, favoring Apple at the expense of Android. In addition, could set a precedent for other companies operating in the Asian country.
Microsoft has a long history in China, operating in the country since 1992.The company has established a strong and growing presence, with its most comprehensive subsidiary and largest research and development center outside the United States located in China, which according to approximate data, It is home to more than 6,000 engineers and scientists.
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