Korean iPhone Users Petition Apple: Bring ‘Find My’ to the Land of Morning Calm
For Korean iPhone users, the anxiety of losing a smartphone is compounded by a puzzling absence: Apple’s ‘Find My’ feature, a standard offering in every other country, has been unavailable in South Korea for a staggering 15 years.
Now, Korean Apple enthusiasts are taking matters into their own hands with an online petition that’s rapidly gaining traction.
The Petition: A Cry for Digital Equality
On July 22, 2024, frustrated Korean iPhone users launched a petition on the National Assembly’s website, demanding that Apple enable its ‘Find My’ service in their country. The petition highlights:
- Discrimination concerns: Korea is the only country where ‘Find My’ doesn’t work
- Security risks: Users face potential damage from device theft and phishing attempts
- Inconvenience: Even foreigners visiting Korea can’t use the feature
As of July 29, the petition had garnered over 6,500 signatures. If it reaches 50,000 by August 21, the issue will be delegated to a committee for further discussion.
The Mystery of the Missing Feature
The absence of ‘Find My’ in Korea has sparked speculation and confusion. Some theorized that the Korean government had banned the feature for national security reasons, given the country’s technically ongoing state of war. However, this notion has been debunked.
The Korea Communications Commission, which regulates location information usage, has clarified:
“There are no regulations restricting the Find My service under the current Location Information Act. Similar services are already available here, as the operators have completed the registration process with the agency.”
In fact, Apple Korea obtained permission as a location information business operator back in 2009, making the continued absence of ‘Find My’ even more perplexing.
Apple’s Stance: Vague and Unsatisfying
When pressed for an explanation, Apple Korea has maintained a frustratingly vague stance:
“The availability of Find My and other products and services in Korea depends on regional requirements that Apple considers when determining which features of specific products and services to provide in that country.”
This response has left many users scratching their heads. What “regional requirements” could possibly justify withholding a widely available safety feature for over a decade?
The Impact on Korean Users
The lack of ‘Find My’ functionality has real-world consequences for Korean iPhone users:
- Increased vulnerability to theft: Without the ability to track or remotely lock lost devices, stolen iPhones are more attractive targets.
- Limited recovery options: Users can’t locate misplaced devices or play sounds to find them nearby.
- Data security concerns: The inability to remotely erase personal information from lost devices puts user data at risk.
Looking Forward: Will Apple Listen?
As the petition gains momentum, all eyes are on Apple. Will the tech giant finally address this long-standing disparity, or will Korean users continue to feel left behind?
For now, the iPhone community in Korea remains hopeful that their collective voice will be heard. After 15 years of waiting, perhaps it’s time for Apple to find its way to providing equal services in the Land of Morning Calm.
Jim’s passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”