Chinese employees working under Microsoft will soon be forced to switch to iPhones permanently on office premises as the software giant has ordered that all workers stop using Android smartphones. The company’s Secure Future Initiative is all about maintaining robust security, and since any device that is not running iOS has a higher chance of a breach, it makes sense for Microsoft to make this move.
One reason why a permanent transition to iPhones is being ordered is to be able to use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager
Microsoft’s workforce in China will have to get used to daily driving an iPhone starting in September of this year, according to the latest report from Bloomberg. The media firm spotted an internal memo stating that any staff using Android handsets, including those made by Xiaomi or Huawei, will be provided with an iPhone 15 as a single-time purchase. The company is reportedly setting up collection points across its offices in China. However, Microsoft is not only following this approach in one region but also in Hong Kong.
The reasoning for the switch is sound; Microsoft has blocked access to app platforms run by Huawei or Xiaomi and now requires employees to use iPhones to access the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and its Identity Pass application. The fragmented nature of Android also prevents Microsoft from employing a strengthened security protocol, and there are differences between the Chinese and foreign mobile ecosystems. With iOS, everything is unified, making monitoring much simpler.
Microsoft has yet to publicly announce the latest move or mention how many employees it has in China, but AppleInsider reports that the company has operated in the region since 1992, so its presence is well established. We have also learned that its largest R&D center outside of the United States is in China, which is another reason why the switch to iPhones has been ordered. Additionally, Microsoft has stated that it will isolate the vulnerabilities in the cloud, making hacking and breaches more difficult.
News Source: Bloomberg
