Chinese government agencies ares no longer allowed to purchase Apple iPads and Macbooks for security reasons. The news is reported by Bloomberg.com whichs add that the Chinese likely fear that the Apple products can be easily hacked by the American government and/or contain backdoors.
According to anonymous sources claiming to work for the Chinese government, the ban on the Apple products was instituted in July this year when iPad and Macbooks were removed from a list of procured products. According to the same sources the same Apple hardware was still on the list in June this year. Why the Apple products were removed from the list in July is unclear
Earlier this year the Chinese government also banned Windows 8 from government computers stating it would be too 'energy inefficient'. Instead the country hopes to develop their own Linux based operating system. The country also banned antivirus software from Kaspersky and Symantec. Analysts think the Chinese government bans products because it hopes 'overseas companies' don't get too much influence on China.
To the outside the Chinese government will likely explain the ban on Apple products as a security measure. The ban on iPads and Macbooks will hurt Apple's sales in China likely also on the consumer and business market. The ban will will also sent a signal to them that Apple hardware might be insecure.
Apple hasn't responded to the ban of their products in China, but has stated before that it doesn't cooperate with secret agencies and doesn't build in backdoors in their hardware and software. But what could company would (be allowed to) tell?
