South Korea Considers iPhone Ban in Military Due to Security Concerns

Jakarta –

Military South Korea a policy banning its use is reportedly being considered iPhone due to security concerns. This plan has been discussed by top officials of the South Korean Army, Air Force and Navy.

According to local media reports The Korea Herald, the headquarters of the South Korean Air Force issued an internal notice on April 11, 2024 ordering the ban on devices that have voice recording features and not allowing applications third party to control native features.

This prevention plan is based on concerns about the possible release of sensitive information through voice recordings. This ban will come into effect from June 1 and specifically states that the use of iPhones will be completely banned.

“It is inevitable to ban all kinds of sound recordings, not only formal communications including meetings, office discussions, business calls, and complaints and consultations with the public , but also informal communications such as private phone calls (within military buildings),” the document said. states.

If this rule applies, iPhone deployment will be restricted at all South Korean military bases and subunits. Other devices including smartwatches and wearables will be banned. Android phones, including those made by Samsung, can still be used as usual.

The number of members serving at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters is estimated at 10,000 people. If the ban is extended to all units, nearly 500,000 South Korean military members will be prevented from using iPhones as their official communication device.

This ban was designed not only because the South Korean military thought the iPhone was unsafe. Apple cell phones just don’t support the National Defense Mobile Security system, a device management application that military personnel must install on their devices.

This application can limit many of the features of a cell phone, including camera, Wi-Fi, USB, microphone, tethering, etc. However, Apple does not allow third-party applications to access native features iPhone apart from the camera, so the application cannot restrict the features of USB, microphone, etc.

Android has no such restrictions, so cell phones from Samsung and other vendors can still be used while iPhones are banned. It is reported that this iPhone ban is still in the testing phase and its implementation will be extended in the coming months.

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(vmp/fay)