Previously on this thread, we saw Martyn Williams discussing the computer tablet in North Korea, including its abilities and government-imposed security limitations. Now Nat Kretchun, also on 38 North, continues the discussion and how this information restriction strategy may be continued on desktops and other devices – and how its efficacy may be limited:
Network Expansion: Will This New Security Strategy Move Beyond Mobile Phones?
It is likely that the North Korean authorities view the introduction of mobile phones as largely successful, given the security features they have been able to include. Analysis of other devices and software such as tablet and desktop operating systems indicate that many of the defining security features of the domestic phones are also present for devices that are not connected the cellular network. This seems to suggest that authorities may be preparing for expansion of other digital networks such as the domestic intranet. This would allow the government to pursue a similar security strategy for a whole range of devices beyond mobile phones with the goal of moving citizens away from un-networked devices that authorities cannot track or control to those on government networks.
Person-to-Person Connection: A Silver Lining?
The North Korean government has been able to allow the introduction of legal mobile phones, while still maintaining some level of control of their usage. The rollout of new sophisticated censorship and surveillance tools are likely to severely limit the spread of unsanctioned media through mobile devices and open up some forms of communication to surveillance. Yet, it is also important to keep in mind what authorities are ceding. Given the availability and legality of mobile phones, North Koreans will undoubtedly experiment with the bounds of acceptable use—many already report routinely conducting quasi-legal business dealings via their mobiles.
However, mobile phones in the North still provide the potential for much greater horizontal interpersonal connection between North Koreans. The wide proliferation of legal mobile phones effectively signals the end of the regime’s former strategy of control by individual isolation. As connections between individuals continue to broaden and strengthen, aided by mobile communications, informal issue constituencies will undoubtedly form and share information—farmers will connect and talk to each other about what’s important for farmers, computer programmers will discuss computer programming and so forth. It is through those connections and the start of informal, non-state directed social organization that North Korean citizens may begin to constitute more than a collection of isolated individuals and more credibly engage in some forms of state-society negotiation. As North Korea’s society and economy continues to evolve, connection among ordinary citizens provides a way to potentially coordinate efforts to influence the direction of those changes, which could prove as transformative as the influx of foreign media the authorities are going to such great lengths to block.
I am reminded of the now-dated catchphrase, Information wants to be free!, and I wonder if this will constitute a laboratory experiment measuring the truthfulness of a phrase I’ve always considered to be somewhat disingenuous, even a bit of a cart before the horse. People want information to be free, because, at least for many, they are more efficient when they have more, and accurate, information. As North Korean authorities limit the information and connectivity of citizens, will this make them more or less productive and happy? If they can improve the average accuracy of information, then the artificial limitations may be worth it, although I have to believe that the limitations on creativity implicit in such a security system may leave them continually stealing our commercial secrets in order to keep up.
On the other hand, even in the West is the sky the limit, as we say, or are the advantages gained from connectivity and high information exchange more like an ore deposit – the top layers easily worked, but as time passes and the deposit is worked, it becomes less and less productive, requiring more and more effort? Based on my informal and anecdotal observations, I’d say yes, it’s more like an ore deposit. If so, then the limitations the North Koreans impose on their citizenry may not be so important.
