Why has Indonesia banned the sale of iPhone 16? Here’s the whole story in 5 points
Indonesia has apparently banned the sale of iPhone 16 models in the country, saying use of the phones is now “illegal.”
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Last week, the sale of iPhone 16 models was banned in Indonesia. “The iPhone 16 cannot be sold in Indonesia for now,” says Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. The country has also declared that use of the phone is now illegal. Indonesia’s Industry Minister has also warned the people of the country against buying equipment from abroad. The reason behind the ban is Apple’s “unfulfilled investment commitments”. The Cupertino giant has reportedly invested Rs 1.48 trillion (roughly Rs. 7,90,74,69,800), while the promised amount was Rs 1.71 trillion. Here is the whole story in 5 points:
-iPhone 16 sales banned in Indonesia due to certification issues
Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita revealed that the iPhone 16 cannot be sold in Indonesia due to Apple’s failure to meet local investment requirements, which are key to obtaining the necessary certification. Despite the lack of a formal government order, the absence of the iPhone 16 on major e-commerce platforms such as Tokopedia, Blibli and Lazada, as well as Apple’s official Indonesian website, supports the claim of a sales ban.
-Lack of investment due to delay in certification
At the heart of the issue is Apple’s lack of fulfillment of its investment commitments. The company has invested Rs 1.48 trillion so far, Rs 230 billion less than the required Rs 1.71 trillion. This difference affects Apple’s ability to secure TKDN (Domestic Component Level) certification, which mandates a minimum of 40 percent local content in devices sold within Indonesia. Minister Kartasasmita stressed that the ministry cannot issue the necessary permits until Apple meets its commitments.
-Government has warned against illegal iPhone sales
Minister Kartasasmita has warned consumers that any iPhone 16 available for sale in Indonesia without the necessary permits should be considered illegal. He urged the public to report such instruments, strengthening the government’s stance on adherence to local investment requirements. This warning highlights the seriousness of the certification gap and the Indonesian government’s commitment to ensuring compliance with domestic regulations.
-Apple CEO’s visit to Jakarta has yielded no results yet
The issue came into limelight following Apple CEO Tim Cook’s recent visit to Jakarta, where he met with President Joko Widodo to explore opportunities to expand Apple’s presence in Indonesia, including the possible establishment of local Apple Academies for research and development. met up with. Despite these discussions, no immediate solution has emerged, and Apple remains under pressure to deliver on its investment promises before moving forward with iPhone 16 sales in the Indonesian market.
-Indonesian customers face delays in accessing iPhone 16
Since TKDN certification is in limbo, Indonesian consumers may have to wait a long time before purchasing the iPhone 16. The situation depends on Apple’s ability to meet remaining investment obligations, which may determine whether the latest iPhone lineup will be officially available in the country. Until then, the entry of the iPhone 16 in Indonesia remains uncertain, with both the company and consumers eagerly awaiting the next move.