Microsoft urges employees in China to use iPhones at work instead of Android devices : Tech : Tech Times

Microsoft is rolling out new security measures in China, requiring employees to use Apple devices to access work. Previously, they could use Android smartphones, but after a recent announcement, things have changed for those who typically rely on those phones.

With tensions rising between Beijing and the US, China’s mobile ecosystem is just one of many sectors that will be hit.

Microsoft employees must use Apple devices at work

(Photo: Matthew Manuel on Unsplash)

Microsoft has announced that all employees in China should refrain from using Android devices in the workplace and only use Apple phones.

Microsoft will mandate the use of Apple devices to verify employee logins in China, according to an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg. It’s part of the company’s global Secure Future Initiative (SFI), which aims to standardize password management and identity verification across its workforce.

Related article: Microsoft asks about 800 employees to leave China as Sino-U.S. relations deteriorate

Fragmented app ecosystem drives decision

The fragmented nature of China’s app market plays a key role in Microsoft’s decision. Unlike most of the world, Google Play is unavailable in China. Local phone makers like Huawei and Xiaomi run their app stores without Google Mobile Services (GMS). Those missing services, including Microsoft Authenticator and Identity Pass apps, are key to secure logins on SFI.

Android users are switching to iPhones

To ensure compliance, the software company will provide a disposable iPhone 15 to employees who currently use Android devices, regardless of manufacturer. The phones will be available for collection at designated collection points in China, including Hong Kong, where GMS is available.

How the market reacted to Microsoft’s decision

News of Microsoft’s decision had minimal impact on stock prices. Shares of Microsoft and Apple posted small gains in premarket trading, while Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Xiaomi saw small declines. Microsoft has not publicly commented on the iPhone order, leaving the specific reasoning unclear.

Security concerns and geopolitical tensions

The decision comes amid growing security concerns in China.

Since 2023, a growing number of government-affiliated entities have banned employees from using foreign devices due to security concerns. Meanwhile, Microsoft has faced repeated attacks from state-sponsored hackers around the world.

This year, there was a Russia-linked hack that exposed data from several U.S. government agencies.

Microsoft Security Action

Spurred by these incidents and regulatory pressure, Microsoft has made security a top priority. The SFI initiative represents the company’s most ambitious security overhaul in two decades.

Key aspects of SFI include faster cloud vulnerability remediation, improved credential protection, and mandatory multi-factor authentication for employees.

While the iPhone requirement in China raises questions about its practicality and geopolitical implications, it underscores Microsoft’s strong commitment to strengthening its security posture on a global scale.

As of March 31, 2024, Microsoft has 221,000 employees worldwide. Of these, 120,000 are based in the United States and 101,000 are based in other parts of the world.

In other news, Tech Times reported that Microsoft has agreed to a $14.4 million settlement over allegations that it discriminated against employees for their use of protected leave.

Also read: Microsoft to lay off over a thousand employees in Azure Cloud Unit: Report