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China has granted network access licence to iPhone 6, giving permission to sell Apple’s latest smartphone in the country after weeks of tantalising delay resulted in largescale smuggling of the phone from Hong Kong and the US.
The licence approval came after four models of the iPhone 6 passed 3C (China Compulsory Certification) certification, a mandatory system to inspect and approve various products to be sold in China, and won approval from the State Radio Regulation earlier this month.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said that it has granted a network access licence to iPhone 6.
The network access licence together with the two other regulatory approvals means that the iPhone 6 can be sold in China, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
The licence came after weeks of delay for the release of the phone which had resulted in largescale smuggling from Hong Kong and the US even though iPhones are manufactured in China.
Chinese police have seized large stocks of smuggled iPhones at airports recently.
The MIIT said in a statement that it made the decision to issue the licence after getting reassurance from Apple that three background service programs, which reportedly had risks of personal privacy leaks, are only diagnostic tools that won’t be used maliciously.
In a document submitted to the ministry, Apple said that the company won’t be allowed to “interfere with” any personal information without clients’ approval, and it has already taken measures in its iOS8 system to make it even more difficult for anybody to use the tools maliciously.
Apple also said it will improve security and privacy protection for its clients.
The company said it has never and will never set up so-called “back doors” in any of its products or services in cooperation with any government organisation of any country.
The MIIT said it pays great attention to protecting mobile phone users’ personal information and will strengthen security management of mobile phones, according to the statement.
The ministry will also enhance network access security review as well as supervision and inspection of products that are already licensed, saying any violation of regulations on personal information protection will be investigated and punished.
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