Due to the latest Chinese regulations, iTunes movies and iBooks services are not available and it’s not clear which is the reason of this situation. It seems as if the Chinese government, represented by its president Xi Jinping wants to take control of all the technology sector and what information is available online for Chinese users following its new regulations.
For many years, Apple has owned the leadership of the market in the field of technology by selling hardware like computers and Iphones, and services like App Store and Apple Pay Mobile payments service. Also, it was possible to offer services like iTunes Movies and iBooks to the Chinese users. Until the last week!.
Suddenly, China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television ordered the suspension of the services without an explanation. So, Chinese consumers cannot be able to access some of these services offered by the tech company giant from California. The intention is to take control of what is permissible to the Chinese users and what is not permissible, according to new regulations imposed by the government in China.
Another possibility is that the Chinese government considers Apple a big competitor in the technological market. However, having a competitor like the tech company Apple doesn’t mean the playground can’t be leveled. Yet banning some of the services offered by the tech company seems a bit unfair when it comes to moral ethics.
What about the new regulations?
The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published a list indicating all kinds of Interne-related services allowed in China. But, this is not the unique regulation in China. There are more than ten laws and regulations that make it difficult to American tech companies to make a breakthrough into the market and having a healthy competition inside the field of technology.
Many experts in the field of merchandising think that through this actions, China will eventually increase the popularity and give big support to local companies like Huawei Technology Co., Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Xiaomi Corp.
For this reason, Apple is fighting to avoid this kind of interference, since social media applications like Facebook and Google’s web search have not been able to enter and remain in the Chinese market. Besides that Microsoft Corp., Cisco Systems Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. also have suffered interferences from regulators in China.
In the coming days it is expected that Apple can solve this situation and the availability of complete services return. Still, the Chinese government appears to have its foot down on this one. However, what Apple and other companies from the U.S. are planning to do about it still remains to be seen.
Source: Bloomberg