JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesia has blocked sales of Google’s Pixel smartphones, citing non-compliance with regulations requiring smartphones sold domestically to contain at least 40% locally manufactured components.
The ban follows a similar restriction placed on Apple’s iPhone 16, which also failed to meet Indonesia’s local content requirements.
These measures aim to promote fair investment in Indonesia’s tech sector by encouraging companies to increase their use of domestic suppliers.
Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, spokesperson for Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, highlighted the policy as a fairness measure, ensuring global brands contribute to the local economy. Arief also mentioned that while Pixel phones can still be bought overseas, buyers are subject to taxes upon import.
The decision may negatively impact consumer options and investment confidence, according to Bhima Yudhistira, director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies think tank, who criticized the rule as “pseudo” protectionism.
Despite Google and Apple’s influence globally, neither ranks among Indonesia’s top smartphone providers, with local markets dominated by OPPO and Samsung.
