Apple has agreed to accept the Chinese government’s demands to run network safety evaluations on all Apple products before they can be imported into the country.
Tim Cook met with the country’s Internet and Information office last December to discuss Apple’s plans in China, and has since consented to the government’s demands that they be allowed screen products for the fabled NSA backdoor. According to a spokesperson who was also present at the meeting, Cook has assured Chinese officials that Apple will fully cooperate with the governments wishes to have products inspected for security concerns.
Cook addressed concerns of a possible backdoor being provided to the U.S. government in iOS. According to a Beijing News report, Cook informed officials in the December meeting. “There were rumors of us keeping backdoors and providing data to third parties,” Cook said. “We have never had any backdoors and never will.”
China’s director of Internet and Information, Lu Wei, told Tim Cook that China recognizes it’s one of the biggest markets for Apple, and that it’s willing to open itself up to technology giants. However, the country is making it a prerequisite that products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac are run through security checks to ensure information safety and privacy, along with national security.
Lu Wei reportedly told Cook Apple’s products “must pass the inspections done by our network safety officers. We have to then make conclusions and insure our customers.”
Source: BeijingNews
