In an interesting mover, the newly launched Apple iPhone 16 has been banned after failing to meet major requirement.
The ban was imposed by Indonesia after Apple failed to meet local production requirements, according to the nation’s industry ministry.
Apple has a strong consumer base in Indonesia with other with over 100 million people under 30, the demand for high-end smartphones is robust.
Now the company has to rely on third-party to resale their phones in the country.
Apple’s current operations have yet to satisfy the ministry’s requirement that 40 per cent of components for imported devices be sourced locally.
To reach this threshold, Apple would need to both increase investments in local manufacturing and integrate Indonesian-sourced materials in iPhone production.
According to Guardian, Ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, confirmed on Friday that the iPhone 16, although permitted for personal use, is not authorised for commercial sale.
“Apple Indonesia has not fulfilled its investment commitment to obtain certification,” Arif stated.
As of early October, reports indicate that Apple has invested 1.5 trillion rupiah of its promised 1.7 trillion rupiah commitment, though the company has yet to meet its obligations fully.
