Earlier this week, the Indonesian government banned the sale and use of iPhone 16 models in the country, along with other Apple products released this fall, including the Apple Watch Series 10. The ban came as Apple failed to fulfill some of its investment commitments. Country (via Economic Times).
The ban covers both the sale and operation of iPhone 16 models and also applies to units that have already been sold, creating a problem for tourists. Industry Minister Gumiwan Kartasasmita said:
If there is an iPhone 16 available for use in Indonesia, we can say that the device is illegal. Please be sure to report it to us.
The reason for the ban is that the country wants to force Apple to fulfill its investment commitments in the country. Apple apparently pledged $109 million (Rp1.71 trillion) to invest in infrastructure and local procurement in Indonesia, but it fell short by about $95 million (Rp1.48 trillion).
Apple’s $14 million (Rp230 billion) shortfall prevented Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry from issuing the proper IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identification) certificate needed to sell devices in the country. Minister Kartasasmita also commented as follows:
We at the Ministry of Industry cannot yet issue a permit for the iPhone 16 because Apple still has commitments to fulfill.
The investment in Indonesia comes as the Indonesian government requires foreign companies to meet a 40% local content requirement when operating in the country. Apple had promised to establish a research and development facility called Apple Academy in the country.
It is unclear at this time whether Apple plans to move forward with this sales ban.
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