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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officially banned the use of Android cellphones for its high-ranking officers and required them to switch to iPhones, citing increased security risks.
This new rule requires IDF officers with the rank of colonel and above to use iPhones for official communications.This move was likely driven by the assumption that iPhones are more secure than Android phones.
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“Under the expected order, officers with the rank of lieutenant colonel and above will be allowed to use only iPhones for official communications,” according to the report
The Jerusalem Post
, reported
Forbes
, Sunday (30/11).
“This step aims to reduce the risk of compromise of senior officers’ devices,” the report continued.
Prior to the current conflict with Hamas and the escalation of regional clashes, there had been several reports of “honey pot” attacks targeting Israeli soldiers with the aim of damaging devices and stealing valuable data, including information about troop locations.
According to reports
The Jerusalem Post
, IDF officials have long warned that their enemies are exploiting social media platforms and messaging apps like WhatsApp to target soldiers’ phones and track troop movements.
The IDF previously warned that Hamas was using WhatsApp to gather information from troops on the Gaza border, and urged soldiers to report suspicious messages to commanders.
The ban also allows the IDF to implement stricter protocols and regulate security updates on devices used by its senior officers.
Not only that, the report also reveals that this includes internal training and simulations designed to increase officer awareness of social engineering tactics.
However, according to the IDF, this move is a continuation of previous efforts to tighten the use of mobile devices.
In recent years, the IDF has even conducted scenarios mimicking Hezbollah-linked “honeypots” to test the unit’s resilience in terms of digital discipline.
According to Israel National News, the new guidelines are also expected to ban the use of military cell phones that are not iPhones.
While Android devices are permitted for personal use, their use is prohibited for operational or command purposes.
(wpj/dmi)
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