China has not banned the use of foreign phone brands but has flagged “security issues” with Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s iPhone, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Following reports that China had told government employees to stop using iPhones at work, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that no law, regulation or policy document banning the purchase and use of cell phones from foreign brands has been issued.
“However, recently we did notice media reports about security issues related to iPhone,” Ning said.
“The Chinese government attaches great importance to cyber and information security and treats Chinese and foreign companies as equals.”
Ning added that the country hoped that all cellphone companies operating in China would abide by its laws, specifically the Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China.
Last Wednesday, media reports claimed that China had banned government officials from using iPhones for work purposes and that the ban could extend to government-backed agencies and state companies.
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