Google's Pixel phones banned in Indonesia days after a ban on Apple's iPhone 16

Indonesia said it has banned sales of smartphones me by Alphabet's Google due to rules requiring use of locally manufactured components, days after blocking sales of tech giant Apple 's iPhone 16 for same reason.

Indonesia blocked sales of Google Pixel phones because company has not met rules which necessitate certain smartphones sold domestically to contain at least 40% of parts manufactured locally.

"We are pushing se rules so that re's fairness for all investors in Indonesia," Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, industry ministry spokesperson, said on Thursday. "Google's products have not hered to scheme we set, so y can't be sold here."

Google said its Pixel phones were currently not officially distributed in Indonesia.

Febri said consumers can buy Google Pixel phones overseas, so long as y pay necessary taxes, ding country would consider deactivating phones that are illicitly sold.

block comes a week after Indonesia said it h blocked sales of iPhone 16 domestically, also for not meeting local content rules.

Companies usually increase use of domestic components to meet such rules through partnerships with local suppliers or by sourcing parts domestically.

Google and Apple are not among top smartphone makers in Indonesia. top two smartphone makers in first quarter of 2024 were Chinese firm OPPO and South Korean firm Samsung, research firm IDC said in May.

Indonesia has a huge, tech-savvy population, making Souast Asian nation a key target market for tech-related investment.

Bhima Yudhistira, director of Center of Economic and Law Studies think tank, said move was "pseudo" protectionism that hurts consumers and impacts investor confidence.

"This creates a negative sentiment for investors looking to enter Indonesia," he said.