Amaya Toman Research has shown that North Korea likes to use Apple devices for its infamous cyber attacks. Despite severe trade sanctions, the North Korean government has found a way to acquire technology and equipment from big-name brands like Apple, Microsoft and others. Company Recorded Future, a cybersecurity company, found that the iPhone X, Windows 10 computers and more are very popular in North Korea. However, a number of older hardware is also used, such as the iPhone 4s.
Although sanctions in North Korea theoretically prevent a number of well-known corporations from exporting goods and services and trading, the country is thus relatively isolated economically and technologically. But the North Korean government has come up with a way to get technology from the United States, South Korea and other countries. Trade sanctions can be circumvented through the use of false addresses and identities and other tactics – a report by Recorded Future suggests that North Korea often uses its citizens living abroad for these purposes.
"Electronics vendors, North Koreans living abroad, and the Kim regime's vast criminal network facilitate the transfer of everyday American technology to one of the world's most repressive regimes," says Recorded Future. Failure to prevent North Korea from acquiring sophisticated American technology leads to "destabilizing, disruptive and destructive cyber operations," according to the agency. Most of the devices used were obtained illegally by North Korea, but some of the hardware was obtained through official channels. Between 2002 and 2017, "computers and electronic products" worth over $430 were shipped to the country.
In recent years, North Korea has become quite famous for its cyberattacks. Among other things, it is associated with, for example, the WannaCry ransomware scandal or the attacks against Sony and PlayStation in 2014. There is no way yet to prevent the illegal acquisition of American and South Korean technology - but Recorded Future reports that "North Korea will be able to operations to continue with the help of Western technology.".
It seems that apple products are particularly popular in North Korea. Kim Jong Un has often been caught using them, and cell phones made in the country often visibly copy Apple's hardware as well as software.
I honestly find it bizarre to try to ban someone from buying an over-the-counter phone as if it were a tank or a fighter jet.