By September 2024, Microsoft will require all employees in China and Hong Kong to switch from Android smartphones to iPhones, according to an internal memo.
This directive is part of Microsoft’s strategy to enhance cybersecurity and streamline authentication processes. With the absence of the Google Play Store in mainland China, Android users have relied on app stores from local brands like Huawei and Xiaomi. However, Microsoft has restricted access to these platforms, making iPhones the preferred choice.
“The US company will soon require Chinese-based employees to use only Apple Inc devices to verify their identities when logging in to work computers or phones,” the report states.
The transition to iPhones will allow Microsoft employees to seamlessly use the company’s Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app. Apple’s introduction of passkey support in iOS in May 2024 aligns with Microsoft’s move towards biometric authentication methods like Face ID.
This decision coincides with rising cybersecurity concerns for Microsoft. Earlier this year, the tech giant disclosed that it was targeted by the Russian-state-sponsored hacking group, Midnight Blizzard, in a reconnaissance mission that affected several US government agencies.
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