Indonesia has suspended the sale of Google Pixel phones for failing to meet indigenous content criteria. Earlier this week, Indonesia blocked the sale and operation of Apple 16, further giving an official warning to the people that the Apple devices found will be considered illegal and they will even be prevented from purchasing the device from abroad nations.
Days after the banning of the iOS products, the country has put a hold on the sale of Google’s most-selling Pixel phones. As put forth by Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, spokesperson of the Ministry of Industry in Indonesia, the trading of the Google Pixel phone will not be allowed until the company adheres to the rules that require 40 percent local content in smartphones to be sold in Indonesia. This requirement can be fulfilled through local manufacturing or direct investment in innovative projects. To continue the sale of the products, Google should first-hand obtain local content certification. As per the estimated recordings, around 22,000 Pixel phones have already entered Indonesia through personal shipments and carry-on items. Despite this fact, the Ministry of Industry has given out an official warning that the trading of Google Pixel phones in the country will be considered an illegal act until the demands are met.
The Apple company has also received a warning from the Ministry of Industry for the sale of their product in the Indonesian markets. Kartasasamita, the Indonesian Industry Minister revealed to the media and the public that the American multinational technology company Apple falls behind in adhering to certain investment commitments in Indonesia. The Industry Minister also further stated that the International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI certifications have not yet been issued for the Apple products, and thereby the use of iOS devices will be considered illegal in Indonesia. According to the inner sources, the Apple company has received a major hit due to the official ban as the company had many incomplete investment commitments in Indonesia. Apple has invested around 1.48 trillion rupiahs ($95 million) with a promised return of 1.71 trillion rupiahs but as trading has been further blocked, the company will have a loss of 230 billion rupiahs in the markets. Regarding the ban, Apple has also sent a letter to the Indonesian Ministry of Industry to have a thorough discussion on the ban but the official dates have not yet been confirmed for the discussion to take place.
Various queries and questions have been raised by the technological community regarding the frequent ban of the two leading smartphone makers in the markets. The Industry Minister states that local content certification is a necessity to ensure fair play for all the investors investing in the Indonesian markets. He also stated that this way the structure of the Indonesian industries can be deepened and enhanced in a better way. The investing companies should be certified with the local content certification as it forms a major part of Indonesia’s industrial policies. The ban on the Google Pixel is a strict action and the Ministry of Industry has warned the people across Indonesia about the seriousness of this matter and the consequences they will be facing by disregarding the official ban on the smartphones. Considering the increased chances of continuing the illegal trading of smartphones, the Indonesian government has passed strict actions against any online and retail shops that try to engage in the illegal act of selling the banned smartphones. As per the government orders, the IMEI certification would be deactivated if caught engaging in illegal trading inside the country. People who purchase products from abroad should also pay a heavy fine to the government.
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