Bad news has come from South Korea for Apple. According to media reports, South Korea has banned bringing iPhones into its military buildings citing security reasons. The ban is scheduled to come into effect on June 1, affecting approximately 5 lakh South Korean military personnel.
In view of security reasons
The South Korean military has taken this decision due to Apple's strict privacy controls. The Army's National Defense Mobile Security app does not conform to Apple's terms. Apple's privacy control policy does not allow third-party apps to control functions such as microphone and USB access on the iPhone. On which the South Korean Army has objection.
The reason behind South Korea banning Apple is the National Defense Mobile Security app. The app is able to block features like camera, Wi-Fi, tethering and microphone from citizens' devices to prevent data leaks. But according to Apple's privacy rules, this app cannot block any hardware of the iPhone. However, no such problem occurs in Android.
South Korea's leading news platform The Korean Herald, citing an Air Force document, has said that carrying iPhones in military buildings is completely prohibited from June 1. However, military personnel can carry Android smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy. Because all the functions of Sena app work properly in these devices.
lakhs of employees affected
The report also claims that this new ban is going to affect more than 5 lakh military personnel of the Army, Navy and Air Force. This decision is going to directly affect 10,000 employees working at the Army Headquarters alone.
It is noteworthy that Apple's iPhone is famous for its security. While today you have to give permissions to apps like camera, contacts, microphone, etc. on Android phones, Apple blocks all apps from accessing these features and hardware to protect your privacy. However, the military in Korea has objected to the same privacy policy of Apple.