Business - Apple plays digital privacy hardball with FBI, 'but not China'

Business - Apple plays digital privacy hardball with FBI, 'but not China' - France 24:
Citing reports by Chinese daily Beijing News and the state-run People's Daily, the article claimed that Cook agreed in January 2015 to allow authorities in China to carry out “security checks” on all iPhones sold in the country to make sure the US had not installed any spyware.
But, Apple has never confirmed or responded to the allegations.
The article reported that analysts believe Apple likely handed over its operating system source code as part of the agreement. 
If true, this would mean that the Chinese government knows how Apple’s software works, including its security system.
But a source close to the Cupertino-based firm said it would never grant access to source codes, noting that such a move would violate its privacy rules.
Apple also decided in February 2015 to store local users’ personal data in China. 
The move was a gesture of good will towards Beijing that other companies like Google, for example, have always rejected for “security reasons”.
This is because it is easier for China to request access data stored in places under its jurisdiction, though Apple stresses the information is encrypted.
Apple has never given Beijing the means to hack an iPhone, which is exactly what Cook has accused the United States of seeking in what he described as “an unprecedented step that threatens the security of our customers”.
But Apple’s alleged behaviour in China has demonstrated that the company may be capable of granting a government – even one known for Internet censorship – access to users’ personal information if it’s within the company's best commercial interests.