Apple’s push to bring advanced artificial intelligence features to iPhones in China is drawing fire in Washington, where a proposed partnership with Alibaba has sparked intense scrutiny over the potential implications for censorship, surveillance, and military tech development.
The deal, designed to power iPhones in China with Alibaba’s AI models, has raised alarms among US lawmakers and national security officials. They are questioning whether the arrangement would give a Chinese tech giant access to data or technical insight that could be funneled into broader state-run programs, including those tied to China’s military strategy.
In recent meetings, US officials pressed Apple executives about data-sharing practices and any regulatory agreements the company may have with Chinese authorities. Apple, according to sources briefed on the discussions, was unable to provide detailed answers.
This controversy highlights how Apple’s efforts to remain competitive in China are colliding with rising geopolitical tension.
