Xiaomi Straightens The Issue Of Banning The Use Of Cell Phones In Several Countries

Xiaomi does not allow any products to be exported to the listed countries and regions where the phone is banned. (photo: doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA - Some time ago, reports emerged that a number of Xiaomi phones that had been imported into certain markets were no longer working. The phones are located in markets where the company has no official presence.

According to a Global Times report, Wednesday, September 15, a Xiaomi spokesperson said the phone was temporarily locked remotely by Xiaomi when announcing the ban. That's because this is part of an ongoing investigation.

The company is concerned that the phones are being sold on a gray market in banned countries such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Sudan and the Crimea region. However, it seems that everything has been resolved. Deactivated cell phone users can return to use it.

"The investigation has achieved significant results, and the affected device can be unlocked now," said a Xiaomi spokesperson.

The market is indeed not allowed to sell Xiaomi phones. However, some people buy Xiaomi handsets in legal markets and take them to prohibited countries for use, even resale.

Keep in mind that, officially, Xiaomi's policy is not to allow any product to be exported to the listed countries and regions where the phone is banned.

However, it seems that Xiaomi is only after active gray market smugglers who bring their phones into illicit markets and resell them. It seems that the Chinese giant doesn't mind if people only buy Xiaomi phones on the legal market, and bring them to the illicit market only for use, and not for resale.

The decision to restore access to the legitimate owners of Xiaomi phones in this market may be a middle ground, as the company's export policy strictly prohibits the use of phones outside the legal market. Interestingly, although cellphones are officially banned from being sold in the country, according to StatCounter data, Xiaomi phones take up 15 percent of the total smartphone market in Cuba.