Microsoft Orders China Staff to Use iPhones for Work and Drop Android
Microsoft mandates employees in China to switch to iPhones for work by September, enhancing cybersecurity through Apple devices for identity verification. The move aligns with broader security initiatives against cyber threats.
Read original articleMicrosoft has instructed its employees in China to switch from using Android phones to iPhones for work purposes starting in September. This move aims to enhance cybersecurity by requiring staff to use Apple devices for identity verification when logging in. The decision, outlined in an internal memo, is part of Microsoft's broader initiative to bolster the security of its products and services against potential cyber threats, particularly from state-sponsored hackers. The transition will impact hundreds of employees in mainland China, ensuring that all personnel utilize Microsoft's Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app. This shift underscores Microsoft's proactive approach to safeguarding its operations and data integrity in the face of increasing cybersecurity challenges globally.
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Microsoft in China mandates staff to switch to iPhones for security, effective September 2024. Android users to receive iPhone 15. Concerns over Google Play Store availability. Microsoft aims to enhance security using Apple's iOS App Store. Transition aligns with passkeys support for biometric authentication.
Microsoft demands China staff use iPhones not Android phones
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Basically the companies internal apps require Google play services, which don't work properly in China.
They don't work properly due to being blocked by the Chinese government due to a dispute stemming from cyberattack by China on Google in ~2012.
Buying everyone an iPhone at the cost of presumably $Millions seems like an expensive workaround.
If their Authenticator and Identity Pass app are stuck to Google Play Services, it's surely more risk adverse to give all chinese employees iPhones than to rewrite those apps to take into account the very large amount of OEM SDKs and secondary platform/ecosystem SDKs just to get push notifications everywhere.
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Microsoft Employees in China Forced to Switch from Android to iPhones
Microsoft is requiring employees in China to use company-provided iPhone 15s, Microsoft's Authenticator, and Identity Pass app for work due to cybersecurity concerns. This move aims to enhance security measures.
Microsoft tells China employees to only use iPhones and ditch Android
Microsoft mandates employees in China to switch to iPhones for work, enforcing cybersecurity with Authenticator and Identity Pass apps due to Google Play restrictions. The move follows security breaches, prompting enhanced defenses.
Microsoft bans Android for its China staff, mandates iPhones for work
Microsoft mandates employees in China to switch from Android to iPhones for work due to Google Mobile Services unavailability. iPhones enhance security with Microsoft apps. Policy aligns with Secure Future Initiative amid US-China tensions.
Microsoft China bans Android, demands staff use iPhones
Microsoft in China mandates staff to switch to iPhones for security, effective September 2024. Android users to receive iPhone 15. Concerns over Google Play Store availability. Microsoft aims to enhance security using Apple's iOS App Store. Transition aligns with passkeys support for biometric authentication.
Microsoft demands China staff use iPhones not Android phones
Microsoft mandates employees in China to switch to iPhones for work, citing cybersecurity concerns after a hacking incident. The move aims to enhance security in a region where Google services are restricted.