Chinese regulator calls for tighter supervision of Apple
Thursday, March 28, 2013 · 6:33 pm · 27 Comments
“Apple Inc has come under criticism from a Chinese marketplace regulator, which called for stronger supervision of the iPhone-maker’s consumer policies within the country, according to state-run media,” Reuters reports.
“On Thursday, the official China National Radio cited a Thursday notice from the State Administration for Industry and Commerce that urged authorities to protect consumers’ rights in accordance with the law,” Reuters reports. “According to CNR’s website report, the notice mentions Apple but stops short of specifying what exactly they need to go after and how to do so.”
Reuters reports, “Apple’s popularity has helped offset some of the state-run attacks, which has incited strong push-back from many Chinese Internet users for what they see as unfair treatment doled out to the iPhone maker.”
Golum
Thursday, March 28, 2013 - 6:59 pm · Reply
Eh, it’s posturing.
Shadowself
Thursday, March 28, 2013 - 7:54 pm · Reply
It’s not *just* posturing.
The Chinese government wants Apple to do something that Apple is reluctant to do (and it is very unlikely bribes). This is setting up a threat of massive regulatory oversight that could cripple Apple’s business in China if Apple does not do what the Chinese government wants.
It could be that they want special filters for data put into the iPhones it sells in China.
It could be they want Apple to build a data center in China that the Chinese government has access to all the data there and that all Chinese iCloud users *must* use if they use a cloud service at all.
It could be they want Apple to use Chinese unique RF bands and RF waveforms.
We don’t yet know what China is wanting, but the Chinese government is lining up the pieces for the long game. Hopefully Apple is doing so too.