Just after banning the sale of the iPhone 16, Indonesia removes Google Pixel Smartphones from its markets. Now, this has left some people wondering why.
The reason for this ban is said to be as a result of Google’s failure to source 40% of its smartphone components locally. This requirement is channeled towards domestically manufacturing from ” local content level” majorly for the purpose of leveraging its large consumer market for domestic economic development.
Febri Hendri, the Indonesian Industry Ministry spokesperson was quoted to say that “The local content rule and related policies are made for fairness for all investors that invest in Indonesia, and for creating added value and deepening the industry structure here”
What Next on the Ban of Google Pixel
Needless to say, the question as to whether the ban is most likely to be an issue for the citizens or for people traveling to Indonesia with a Google Pixel phone remains relevant. Whether the ban goes beyond just the importation to also include actual ownership was not expressly stated. From the look of things, it seems like Indonesia’s tech scene just found the one thing not worth a search: the Google Pixel.