Avoid the trouble Be careful, in this country you are liable to prosecution with an iPhone 16

Possession of an iPhone 16 has recently become problematic. But only in one specific case. Indonesia has classified Apple's smartphones as illegal.

In a surprising decision, Indonesia has imposed a comprehensive ban on the iPhone 16. Not only the sale, but also the possession and use of the new Apple smartphone is now illegal, announced Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. Tourists traveling to the country with an iPhone could also face problems as a result, as reported by the Economic Times.

Apple and the missed payments

In addition to the standard iPhone 16 model, all variants - including the iPhone 16 Plus and the Pro model - as well as the Apple Watch Series 10 are also affected by the ban. Indonesia has been forced to take this drastic step because Apple has failed to keep a binding promise: The company had promised to invest around 109 million US dollars in Indonesian infrastructure and local products. So far, however, only around 95 million US dollars have been invested.

This financial gap has concrete consequences. According to the Indonesian authorities, Apple products cannot be used legally in the country without the IMEI certificate, which is only issued after full payment. Minister Kartasasmita is now even actively encouraging the population to report violations of the ban.

Tourists need to be aware of this

Travelers using the iPhone 16 or Apple Watch Series 10 must register their device IMEI if they are staying in the country for longer than three months. For shorter stays, the purchase of an Indonesian SIM card is sufficient. However, the ban could make the handling of iPhones more difficult. Experts advise travelers to use other smartphones to avoid potential conflicts.

ComputersApple makes calls and emails from companies more recognizable

It is not yet known exactly what penalties will be imposed if the ban is ignored. However, anyone currently planning a trip to Indonesia should inform themselves in advance and avoid using the iPhone 16 in order to enjoy the beauty of the country undisturbed.

And what does Elon Musk have to do with it?

Indonesia is not the first country to impose strict conditions on the sale of Apple products. But there is an unusual side development here: tech billionaire Elon Musk is considering adopting the Indonesian model for his own companies. Whether he will actually implement this course for his companies X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX or Tesla is still unclear. Musk's argument: such an approach could increase the pressure on international companies to fully honor their commitments.