The North Korean regime is cracking down on international embassies and their use of WiFi networks, after reports suggested locals were connecting to the internet via them.

The excellent North Korea Tech blog reports that embassies had been ordered to encrypt and password lock their networks, or reduce their strength, to prevent North Koreans taking advantage of them — but now they are banned subject to government approval. A report from The Diplomat in August suggested that the WiFi networks were so alluring that many North Koreans were buying up houses covered by the signals.

These reports follow similar stories that North Korea is cracking down on the use of internet-enabled SIM cards by foreigners. First introduced last year, SIM cards are now being deactivated when foreigners leave the country to prevent them ending up in the hands of locals.

➤ North Korea bans WiFi networks for foreigners [NK News] | via North Korea Tech

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