Indonesia bans Google Pixel sales days after blocking iPhone 16

Indonesia has implemented a ban on the sale of Google Pixel smartphones, days after similar restrictions imposed on Apple’s iPhone 16.

The Indonesian government enforces rules requiring that smartphones sold within the country contain at least 40% locally manufactured components.

According to Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Google has not complied with these regulations, resulting in the prohibition of its products from the domestic market.

“We are pushing these rules so that there’s fairness for all investors in Indonesia,” Arief stated during a news conference on Thursday.

He clarified that while Google Pixel phones are not officially distributed in Indonesia, consumers can still purchase them overseas, provided they pay the requisite taxes.

This latest ban comes just a week after Indonesia blocked sales of Apple’s iPhone 16 for the same reasons related to local content requirements.

Despite the bans, Google and Apple are not the leading smartphone manufacturers in Indonesia. Data from research firm IDC reveals that in the first quarter of 2024, the top two smartphone makers were Chinese company OPPO and South Korea’s Samsung, indicating a competitive market landscape.

Indonesia, with its vast and tech-savvy population, represents a significant market for technology investments.

However, Bhima Yudhistira, director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies, characterized the recent bans as a form of “pseudo” protectionism.

He expressed concern that these measures could harm consumers and diminish investor confidence. “This creates a negative sentiment for investors looking to enter Indonesia,” Yudhistira stated.