How North Korean Phone Hackers are Sneaking Past State‑Made Jails
In a world where getting your own device feels like an Olympic feat, some North Koreans are turning their phones into tools of rebellion. A U.S. nonprofit, Lumen, recently‑released a report that shows a handful of tech‑savvy citizens have found ways to slip past the government’s strict mobile watchdogs.
Why it matters
North Korea’s government only lets a tiny slice of the population access the global internet. Every phone you grab comes pre‑loaded with official apps and trackers, like “Trace Viewer” – a sneaky screenshot‑taker that locks any evidence away. The irony? These same citizens have managed to sidestep the very guardrails that bind them.
Who’re the mastermind hackers?
- Most of the “know‑how” came from North Koreans who worked overseas, especially in China’s software‐outsourcing scene.
- These international experiences gave them the secrets needed to hook into and dodge phone surveillance.
- Two defectors confirmed they used these techniques before finally leaving the country.
What did they accomplish?
With a few clever tweaks, they turned their phones into a playground:
- Installing unauthorized apps – from photo filters to music players.
- Manipulating the Trace Viewer to keep the system from locking screenshots. This could help users keep evidence of censorship.
- Even squeezing a bit of extra cash out of a resale value by removing the hidden data.
Could the regime ever catch them?
There’s speculation that the state might have already disabled the USB ports used by these hackers, a serious step up in their defensive arsenal. A recent tweak by the authorities: Wi‑Fi has only just returned to devices, now gated with strict SIM cards, passwords, and approved hardware. The message is clear: any attempt to jump the barriers will now trigger a hard stop.
Bottom line
Even with the Internet mercilessly shut down, a few North Koreans discovered they could still pull off a smart phone jailbreak. They’re proving that knowledge, a little ingenuity, and a taste for rebellion can crack even the toughest walls. It’s a gripping reminder that information is power – even in the most restricted corners of the world.
