The South Korean military wants to ban iPhones from military buildings. According to military sources, this decision was made based on suspicions of security leaks. For example, there are fears that confidential information may be recorded.
South Korean soldiers may soon have to trade in their iPhones for another smartphone, as the military wants to ban iPhones in military buildings. It fears that iPhones pose security risks and that information may be passed on.
Internal document
The Korea Herald was able to view an internal document provided to them by officers of the South Korean army who wished to remain anonymous. This was a document from the Air Force headquarters, stating that devices that can make voice recordings are no longer welcome in military buildings from June 1. iPhones were specifically mentioned. The document states that this is a decision by the army, navy and air force.
The reason why iPhones are being targeted is because Apple does not allow third-party apps to block certain applications. The security system of the South Korean army blocks things such as the camera, WiFi and the microphone, but on Apple devices only the camera can be locked. “It is impossible to block every type of voice recording,” the document says. “Not only formal communication, such as meetings, office conversations, business announcements and complaints from and consultation with the public, but also informal communication such as private telephone conversations (within military buildings). We have been investigating the options for a possible extension of the ban on these types of devices for some time.”
In addition to iPhones, Apple Watches and other wearable devices such as AirPods would also be banned. Android smartphones, where the South Korean brand Samsung is particularly popular, would still be allowed.
500,000 soldiers
About 10,000 people work at the South Korean army headquarters in Gyeryondae. But if the ban were extended to all military personnel, it would affect around 500,000 soldiers. In South Korea there is still compulsory military service, which means that every healthy man must perform mandatory military service of at least a year and a half before the age of 28. During their military service, these men are only allowed to use their smartphones between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. And they must also install the security system on their device.
However, South Korea’s Defense Minister has said it is considering expanding the window in which soldiers can use their smartphones. But only for Android users. Anyone who has an iPhone will still be allowed to use their smartphone for barely three hours a day.
But these decisions have already been criticized by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. They believe that requiring military personnel to download a security app goes against human rights. According to them, it is not necessary that all soldiers have to install this app and it should only be mandatory for certain employees who work in certain locations and handle sensitive information.
Tags: South Korea ban iPhones military due security concerns
