Indonesia Bans Sales Of Google Pixel Phones

Indonesia has banned sales of Google Pixel smartphones. Southeast Asia’s largest phone market made this crucial move days after blocking Apple’s iPhone 16. The Indonesian Ministry of Industry reportedly said that Google’s smartphones cannot be traded until they comply with rules requiring 40% local content in smartphones sold in the country.

"We are pushing these rules so that there's fairness for all investors in Indonesia. Google's products have not adhered to the scheme we set, so they can't be sold here," said ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, as quoted by Reuters. The spokesperson also said that the country would consider deactivating the devices that are illicitly sold and added that Google must obtain local content certification before resuming sales in Indonesia.

According to Indonesian rule, tech firms must source 40% of their tablet and phone components domestically. Companies will be able to meet this requirement through local manufacturing, firmware development, or direct investment in innovation projects. Market giants including Samsung and Xiaomi have complied with these rules by establishing manufacturing facilities in the country. Meanwhile, Apple has opted to set up developer academies, reported TechCrunch. With more than 350 million active smartphone users, Indonesia is a valuable market for tech companies.