Following the ban on iPhone 16 sales for failing to fulfill its investment obligations, Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry has now banned the sale of Google Pixel phones for the same reason.
The Indonesian government has strict regulations for foreign companies operating within its borders. These companies are required to meet a 40% local content requirement, as part of the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) certification process.
This means that major smartphone brands that want to enter the Indonesian market are required to have significant investments in the country, either in device manufacturing, software development, or other innovation projects. Google, like Apple before it, has not met this requirement, leading to the sales ban.
Google recently announced Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL in August. Pixel devices are often seen as attractive options because of their powerful cameras, the Tensor G4 chip, and stock Android experience.
Indonesia’s massive population of over 280 million presents a significant opportunity for tech companies. However, their government’s strict regulations could pose a significant challenge.
According to CounterPoint Research, Google and Apple are not major players in the Indonesian smartphone market.
