The South Korean military has reportedly imposed a ban on the use of iPhones due to concerns over security breaches and potential voice recording capabilities. The ban, which has reportedly started in the country’s Air Force headquarters, applies to all devices that allow third-party apps to access voice recording functions. While Android devices, such as Samsung’s, are exempt from the ban, the military’s mobile device management app appears to be unable to prevent audio recording on iPhones.
The ban is part of a larger trend of smartphone restrictions in secure facilities, where the need for security often dictates the level of device limitations. However, South Korea’s potential iPhone ban, which could span all military buildings and personnel, is considered extreme and raises questions about security training, compliance, and access control. There is also a hint of nationalism in the decision, as Samsung devices are explicitly allowed, and seven in 10 South Korean military members are Samsung users.
Despite the ban, it’s important to note that smartphone restrictions in secure facilities are common, and the use of third-party apps on iPhones to lock down voice recording is possible. The issue appears to be that the South Korean National Defense Mobile Security mobile device management app doesn’t seem to be able to block the use of the microphone. This particular MDM was rolled out in 2013, with use enforced across all military members in 2021. The report talks about user complaints about the software and inconsistent limitations depending on make, model, and operating system. A military official speaking to the publication says that deficiencies on Android would be addressed in a software update. Discussions are apparently underway to extend the total ban downwards to the entire military. The Army is said to have tried the ban as well.
