Why has Indonesia banned the sale of iPhone 16? Here is the full story in 5 points

Indonesia has apparently banned the sale of iPhone 16 models in the country, saying the phone's use is now "illegal".

In Short

• iPhone 16 sale banned in Indonesia
• Ban due to unfulfilled Apple investment
• Govt warns against illegal iPhone sales

The sale of iPhone 16 models was banned in Indonesia last week. “The iPhone 16 cannot be sold in Indonesia yet,” says Indonesia’s industry minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. The country has also declared that the use of the phone is now illegal. Indonesia’s industry minister has also warned people in the country from buying the devices from abroad. The reason behind the ban is “unfulfilled investment commitment” from Apple. The Cupertino giant has reportedly invested 1.48 trillion rupiah (Rs 7,90,74,69,800 approx), as against the promised 1.71 trillion rupiah. Here is the full story in 5 points:

–iPhone 16 sale banned in Indonesia due to certification issues

Indonesian minister of industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita revealed that the iPhone 16 cannot be sold in Indonesia due to Apple’s failure to meet local investment requirements, which are crucial for obtaining the necessary certification. The iPhone 16’s absence on major e-commerce platforms like Tokopedia, Blibli, and Lazada, as well as Apple’s official Indonesian website, supports the claim of a sales restriction, despite the lack of a formal government order.

–Investment shortfall the reason behind delayed certification

At the core of the issue is Apple’s shortfall in fulfilling its investment commitment. The company has invested 1.48 trillion rupiah so far, falling short by 230 billion rupiah of the 1.71 trillion rupiah required. This gap affects Apple’s ability to secure the TKDN (Domestic Component Level) certification, which mandates a minimum of 40 percent local content in devices sold within Indonesia. Minister Kartasasmita emphasised that the Ministry cannot issue the required permits until Apple fulfils its commitments.

–Government warns against illegal iPhone sales

Minister Kartasasmita has warned consumers that any iPhone 16 available for sale in Indonesia without the necessary permits should be considered illegal. He urged the public to report such devices, reinforcing the government’s stance on adhering to local investment requirements. This warning highlights the seriousness of the certification gap and the Indonesian government's commitment to ensuring compliance with domestic regulations.

–Apple CEO’s Jakarta visit yet to yield results

The issue came into the spotlight following Apple CEO Tim Cook’s recent visit to Jakarta, where he met with President Joko Widodo to explore opportunities for expanding Apple's presence in Indonesia, including the potential establishment of local Apple Academies for research and development. Despite these discussions, no immediate resolution has been reached, and Apple remains under pressure to fulfil its investment promises before it can proceed with selling the iPhone 16 in the Indonesian market.

–Indonesian customers face delayed access to iPhone 16

As the TKDN certification remains in limbo, Indonesian consumers may have to wait longer before they can purchase the iPhone 16. The situation hinges on Apple’s ability to meet the remaining investment obligations, which could determine whether the latest iPhone lineup becomes officially available in the country. Until then, the iPhone 16’s entry into Indonesia remains uncertain, with both the company and consumers eagerly awaiting the next steps.