Apple to allow security inspections on products in China: reports

Apple would allow the Chinese government to carry out security inspections on its products to address concerns that they were used for surveillance of Chinese citizens, according to reports.

Apple CEO Tim Cook had reportedly acceded to requests from China's State Internet Information Office to test iPhones, iPads and Mac computers so that they could continue to be sold in the country, according to The Telegraph.

Cook met with Lu Wei, the department's director, Beijing News said. Cook is and told Wei that, contrary to rumours, Apple had never had any security backdoors nor had it provided customer data to third parties.

In his response Lu said the company's products would need to pass security audits performed by Chinese officers before reaching customers.

China is among the biggest markets for Apple products, but its government had a history of distrust of the company.

Last year, in September, following the announcement of the new iPhones, Apple reassured the Chinese government that the devices did not have security backdoors that could be used by US organisations to collect Chinese data.

Cook reportedly told Lu that Apple products did not give data to third parties. ''We did not, and will not provide a back door,'' he asserted.

Lu responded saying that the Chinese government needed to draw its own conclusions for consumers to be assured.

According to the chinese publication, Apple would cooperate with spot network security audits of its products by Chinese officials.

China Central Television had raised concerns in July about location tracking in Apple's iOS, and had termed it a ''national security concern.''