China turns its back on Apple over security concerns

BEIJING - Ten Apple products – including the iPad, iPad Mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro – are nowhere to be found on the latest Chinese Government procurement list distributed in July, according to Government officials with access to the list. While the products allegedly were on a June version of the list of items that can be purchased with public funds, rising concerns over claims of hacking and cyber spying have led to the Government turning away from U.S. technology companies.

If confirmed, is the latest of a string of exclusionary policies against US tech companies. In July, for example, the Government told its departments to stop procuring antivirus software from US-based Symantec Corp and Kapersky Lab. The China Daily draws connections between the policies and heightened suspicion towards foreign companies in the wake of Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing regarding an NSA spying programme, as well as the FBI’s recent indictment of five Chinese military officers for allegedly stealing corporate secrets. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).