Ministry restricts use of smartphones
Source: AFP |
July 16, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SOUTH Korea's defense ministry said yesterday it has ordered its staff to install a smartphone application that restricts key functions like the camera in an attempt to prevent military leaks.
The ministry said, from yesterday, its staff of 1,500 are no longer allowed to bring smartphones into their offices without installing the app, called "Mobile Management Device."
It caused a long queue at the gates of the ministry yesterday because some 20 percent of employees had not installed the app, officials said.
The ministry declined to confirm a report by Yonhap news agency that some staff had refused to install the app due to concerns about privacy.
Ministry spokesman Kim Min-Seok said the app, which restricts the use of cameras and audio recording, prevents leaks through smartphones and stops outsiders from hacking into the devices of defense ministry officials.
"We've developed a system to restrict the core functions of smartphones because of concerns our work could be leaked through them," he said.
For now, the app only works in the ministry compound. Officials said all South Korean soldiers would be ordered to install it later.
Users of Samsung's Galaxy and other Android phones can receive and make calls and text messages, but iPhone users can only receive them.
The ministry said, from yesterday, its staff of 1,500 are no longer allowed to bring smartphones into their offices without installing the app, called "Mobile Management Device."
It caused a long queue at the gates of the ministry yesterday because some 20 percent of employees had not installed the app, officials said.
The ministry declined to confirm a report by Yonhap news agency that some staff had refused to install the app due to concerns about privacy.
Ministry spokesman Kim Min-Seok said the app, which restricts the use of cameras and audio recording, prevents leaks through smartphones and stops outsiders from hacking into the devices of defense ministry officials.
"We've developed a system to restrict the core functions of smartphones because of concerns our work could be leaked through them," he said.
For now, the app only works in the ministry compound. Officials said all South Korean soldiers would be ordered to install it later.
Users of Samsung's Galaxy and other Android phones can receive and make calls and text messages, but iPhone users can only receive them.
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