Fang Xingdong, who launched the first blog platform in China—"Blogchina", known as "the father of blog in China", published an article in the "Global Times" on July 28th, he said that Apple iPhones should be banned in public officials.
According to media reports, the American company Apple Inc. recently acknowledged that it can gather personal data of iPhone users through computers, the personal data include messages, address book, photographs and others.
Fang Xingdong pointed out in his article, the Apple Inc. finally admitted that its employees can get personal data such as messages, address book and photographs of iPhone users through an undisclosed technology. Either from the industry norms or legal point of view, there are serious problems in this event. The government cannot let it go, it should ask Apple to give a full description and explanation, and require the public officials in government, military systems and critical infrastructure not to use Apple. Finally, promoting the development of independent domestic mobile phone operating systems in China is the long term strategy.
Fang Xingdong explained, from the perspective of state security, public officials should be banned from Apple smartphones. The reason why he made such views "is not to be closed, or go to the extremes". There are comprehensive considerations about the costs and risks. But it should be treated differently, in fields of high security requirements, a certain sacrifice are needed.