Following the recent ban on the iPhone 16, Indonesia has now extended its restrictions to Google Pixel smartphones, aiming to tighten oversight on foreign smartphone manufacturers and ensure their adherence to local regulations, Reuters reported.
The Indonesian Ministry of Industry has prohibited the sale of Google’s smartphones, citing non-compliance with regulations that require 40% of components to be locally sourced. Ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief stated that Google must obtain local content certification to resume sales in the country.
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology said that the ban was prompted by concerns over compliance with local production requirements and the need for manufacturers to meet national standards for technology and security. This regulatory stance reflects Indonesia’s larger strategy to boost domestic manufacturing and support local businesses within the competitive tech industry.
‘The local content requirements and associated policies are designed to ensure fairness for all investors in Indonesia and to enhance value creation while strengthening the domestic industry,’ said Febri Hendri Antoni Arief.
The ban on Google Pixel follows closely on the heels of Indonesia’s restrictions on Apple’s latest iPhone 16, which were also motivated by concerns over compliance with local manufacturing standards.
The Indonesian government has openly expressed its ambition for technology companies to set up production facilities within the country, emphasising that this would create jobs and stimulate the local economy. These restrictions are viewed as a measure to encourage foreign companies to actively support Indonesia’s economic development.
The duration of the ban remains uncertain, as does its impact on foreign manufacturers’ strategies in Indonesia. The government’s stance could incentivise tech companies to invest in local production or push them to prioritise markets with more flexible regulations.
