Daily NK recently obtained a smartphone app operated by a North Korean mobile carrier. North Korean citizens can subscribe to mobile services online through these apps, but it is worth noting that they must submit facial recognition data and personal information during registration.
Kangsong Mobile Communications 2.0 Kangsong Mobile Communications 2.0 requires users to register their face for facial recognition during sign-up. (Daily NK)
“Gangseong Mobile Communications 2.0” is an app provided by Gangseong, one of North Korea’s mobile phone companies, for communication services. When you start the app, menus such as “Notifications” and “Mobile Services” will be displayed. It is believed that this app will be released in 2021.
According to the app’s help section, Kangsong Mobile Communications 2.0 is described as “a program that allows you to easily access mobile communication services through your mobile phone.” “Customers who subscribe to the Kangsong network can receive a variety of services regardless of their location.”
Services provided include:
Check phone number status Report loss Request name change Balance inquiry Account transfer Access to Labor Newspaper Data communication service Missed call notification Ringtone service Voicemail Message exchange
A noteworthy point is that registration of facial information is now mandatory for mobile service contracts. The app’s help section specifically notes that “your face must be fully visible in the frame when taking a photo” and warns that “photos taken while wearing a mask or glasses will not be accepted.” are.
In addition to facial information, the app requires:
User registration information (English and numbers) Registration password (8 characters or more, a combination of English and numbers) Personal information (name, gender, national number, date of birth, title, home address) Registration is completed by entering the authentication code. . The app provides users with real-time exchange rate changes and also operates a Q&A section. (Daily NK)
Another noteworthy point is that the app provides foreign exchange rate information. The help section says it “displays daily foreign exchange rates” and is “automatically updated whenever rates change for your convenience.”
However, it is unclear how often exchange rates are updated and whether they reflect official or market rates.
The app also features a Q&A board for users. According to the help section, “Customers using the Kangsong network have access to information about common issues. Users can like, dislike, and report while viewing content.” ” is an example of an inquiry regarding issues related to the use of mobile phones.
This app provides links to external websites. (Daily NK)
The app also features several websites that users can visit, including:
Pyongyang Arirang Manmulsan Distance Education Gwangmyeong Nenara
Manmulsan and Kwangmyung are e-commerce sites.
Koryolink Mobile Communication 1.0
Koryolink, another North Korean telecommunications company, also operates its own app called “Koryolink Mobile Communications 1.0.”
When the user launches the app, the first thing a user can do is to read the following text: “You can access general information about Koryolink mobile services, multimedia browsing services, website browsing services, and data communication services, and manage service subscriptions and cancellations.” The name “Joint” is displayed. This is a venture company. ”
CHEO Technology Joint Venture Company is a wireless communications company founded in 2008 as a joint venture between Egyptian telecommunications company Orascom and North Korea’s Korea Posts and Telecommunications Co.
The app requires users to enter personal information and register their face for facial recognition. (Daily NK)
The main screen of the app displays company introductions, product introductions, and various service menus such as the ones below.
Name change service Payment service Data communication service Lost notification service Message related service Ring tone service Functionally similar to Koryolink 2.0.
Similar to Kangsong Mobile Communications 2.0, Koryolink Mobile Communications 1.0 also requires users to enter personal information (name, gender, date of birth, job title, home address, national ID number) and identifiable facial information for registration. there is.
The app explains how to use the various features. (Daily NK)
What is noteworthy is that although the app’s help section includes information about “a system for displaying external websites connected to 3G mobile networks in real time,” it does not mention 4G communications, which are currently in commercial use. It has not been done.
Interestingly, the help section of the app lists the specific addresses of the national network homepage (10.30.99.87) and the mobile network homepage (193.10.0.10). This means that North Korea operates separate networks: the National Computer Network (Wired, National Network), the 3G Data Communication Network (Wireless, 3G Network), and the Future Network (Wireless, Wi-Fi Network). , because it provides a network-specific network. Address to user.
Daily NK works with a network of intelligence sources in North Korea, China and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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