Microsoft has informed its employees in China that starting from September they will be able to use only iPhone for work. In this way, the company is blocking the use of Android devices in the work process.
According to an internal memo to employees, Microsoft will soon require Chinese employees to use only Apple devices for identity verification when logging into work computers or phones. This measure is part of the global initiative Microsoft Secure Future Initiative. It aims to ensure that all employees use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass program.
This move highlights the fragmented nature and limited availability of Android app stores in China and the growing differences between Chinese and foreign mobile ecosystems. Unlike the iOS store, Google Play is not available in China. Therefore, local smartphone manufacturers such as Huawei and Xiaomi have their own platforms. Microsoft has decided to block access from these devices to its corporate resources, as they do not have access to Google's mobile services in the country.
All Chinese employees using Android phones will be provided with an iPhone 15 as a one-time purchase, the memo states. The company will provide iPhones for pickup at various centers in China, including Hong Kong, where Google services are available.
Source: bloomberg
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