North Korea begins censoring domestic cellphones: RFA | NK News
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October 16, 2026Oct 16, 2026

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North Korea begins censoring domestic cellphones: RFA

Newly established censoring bureau is dedicated to domestic cellphones only

North Korea has established a special bureau tasked with censoring and monitoring its citizens’ cellphones, a Radio Free Asia (RFA) said on Monday.

While the State Security Department (SSD) first established Bureau 1080, as it is reportedly known, in November 2014 it has only begun actively censoring cellphone use since earlier this month, the report said, citing multiple unnamed sources in North Korea.

Unlike previous bureaus responsible for targeting cellphone use in North Korea, Bureau 1080 is dedicated to monitoring use on domestic cellphones legally used by North Koreans.

The report said that implementation of the bureau’s mandate was due to