New Delhi: Microsoft in China has banned the use of Android devices, requiring its employees to switch to iPhones by September 2024, as reported by Bloomberg. This decision, communicated through an internal memo, affects staff in both the China and Hong Kong offices. Employees currently using Android smartphones, including brands like Huawei and Xiaomi, will be provided with an iPhone 15. Dedicated points within Microsoft facilities in China will be set up for employees to collect their new iPhones, which is going to cause a major change for the workers in the Chinese mainland.What is the reason for the shiftOne reason for this shift is the lack of the Google Play Store in mainland China, where Android users rely on app stores operated by Huawei or Xiaomi—now restricted by Microsoft. The company will require employees in China to use Apple devices for identity verification when accessing work computers or phones. Since the iOS App Store is available in China, the transition to iPhones will enable employees to use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app more effectively. Microsoft introduced support for passkeys in May 2024, allowing apps to use the iPhones Face ID for biometric authentication.This directive also coincides with heightened cybersecurity concerns for Microsoft. Earlier this year, the company revealed that it had been targeted by the Russian-state-sponsored hacking group Midnight Blizzard, which impacted several US government agencies. Microsoft had begun notifying specific customers that their emails might have been accessed due to the breach.Companys takeEven though there is no official announcement from the companys side, this change in rules and regulations aligns with Microsofts strict cybersecurity policies. To tighten the security to protect sensitive data, the company will be addressing cloud vulnerabilities, making credential protection stronger than before, and putting multiple face authentication for an extra layer of added protection. The company is gonna change the existing android phones of the employees with an iPhone 15.
