According to media reports, Chinese company Xiaomi had remotely blocked its smartphones in Russian-occupied Crimea, as well as in other Western-sanctioned areas such as the countries of Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Sudan. Not all smartphones activated in the banned areas had been affected. The company claims that it is “not targeting any specific markets” and it has only “temporaly” locked some smartphones to prevent and investigate smuggling. As of Sept. 14, the blocking was reportedly lifted.
EuroMaidan Press: Xiaomi temporarily blocks its smartphones in Russian-occupied Crimea
A man walks past a Xiaomi store in Beijing on Jan. 15, 2021, as shares in the company collapsed on Jan. 15 after the United States blacklisted the smartphone giant and a host of other Chinese firms.
