South Korea Reportedly Banning iPhones for the Military: Explained

The South Korean military is considering a comprehensive ban on iPhones within its buildings. This decision comes as a response to concerns about potential leaks of sensitive information through voice recordings.

An internal directive was issued on April 11, instructing personnel to stop using iPhones inside the facilities. The ban extends to other devices capable of recording and sharing voice recordings, including Apple Watches.

The military document emphasizes the importance of blocking voice recording in all communication scenarios within military buildings, whether formal or informal. This ban is also reportedly set to include the entire South Korean military, with the army testing similar restrictions.

It is worth noting that while restrictions on smart devices in secure facilities are common, implementing a total ban is unusual. If the ban were to be enforced across all military units, it would impact nearly 500,000 personnel within the South Korean military.