Over the past few months, the FBI and Apple Inc. have been engaged in a stand-off revolving digital information and privacy rights. The government agency and the tech manufacturer are at odds as to whether or not it is legal for the government to obtain information in order to solve a case - specifically the December mass shootings in San Bernardino.
The battle has been going on for quite some time and it has since attracted the attention of other first world countries including China. In fact, according to several reports, the Chinese government is currently carefully investigating tech products sold in China by foreign manufacturing companies.
The New York Times recently published an article detailing how the Chinese government has been scrutinizing international tech companies - assessing whether or not their products pose a threat to China's national security.
According to the same publication, these reviews are conducted by the Cyberspace Administration of China. Executive from tech corporations like the Apple Inc. are required by Chinese authorities to attend a meeting in person, in which, they would be asked to answer questions regarding their consumer products.
While news about China's new initiative only made the rounds this month, a report from The Beijing News times suggest that the reviews have been happening since early 2015.
The publication previously sat down with the director of the National Internet Information Office Lu Wei in order to discuss his meeting with Apple's Tim Cook. According to Lu, Cook spoke about rumors claiming that Apple Inc. is providing classified information obtained through their products to third parties. He wanted to reassure Lu and the rest of the agency that Apple simply does not divulge sensitive information.
The reviews conducted by the Chinese government is not unique by all means, as the British and the United States' authorities employ the same scrutiny when it comes to certain military grade tech products. However, unlike the British and the U.S. government, the Chinese seem to be targeting products that are sold to the general public. The reviews are worrisome considering how it may result to blocking certain foreign made products from entering the Chinese market.