BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has instructed its employees to use temporary loaner phones during business trips to China. According to a Bloomberg News report on Tuesday, an internal memo states that company-issued devices such as laptops, iPhones, and iPads must not be used while in the country.
No Network Access or VPN Use Permitted
The memo also bans staff from using company laptops or accessing BlackRock systems via virtual private networks (VPNs). Employees travelling to China whether for business or personal reasons will be denied access to the firm’s internal network entirely during their stay.
Policy Not New, Says Insider
While Reuters could not independently confirm the report, a source familiar with the matter told the agency that these rules are not new, but rather reinforce long-standing internal security protocols regarding travel to China.
Rising Concerns Over Travel Restrictions
The updated guidance reflects increasing concern among Western companies about the risks of surveillance and data exposure in China. On Monday, the U.S. State Department disclosed that Chinese authorities had blocked a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee travelling in a personal capacity from leaving the country.
Earlier this month, a banker from Wells Fargo also faced exit restrictions in China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed the individual was involved in a criminal case, offering no further explanation.
No Comment from BlackRock
BlackRock has so far declined to comment on the report. The firm’s caution highlights broader anxieties about corporate cybersecurity and the risks of cross-border travel in an era of heightened geopolitical tension and regulatory scrutiny.
With inputs from Reuters
