Israel army orders top brass to ditch Androids, stick to iPhones
Israel’s military has imposed a strict new rule: senior officers are no longer allowed to use Android phones for official business, and must switch to iPhones.
Under the new order, commanders from the rank of lieutenant colonel and above will be permitted to use only iPhones for work-related communications. Android devices may still be used privately, but are banned from all operational or command activity.
The decision, revealed by Israel’s Army Radio and reported by The Jerusalem Post, marks a dramatic escalation in the military’s digital security efforts amid intensifying regional conflict.
The move is designed to reduce the risk of cyber intrusions on high-level military devices, the reports say.
Even before the ongoing conflict with Hamas and escalating clashes across the region, Israeli forces had faced repeated cyber-espionage attempts, including “honeypot” attacks targeting soldiers in order to steal sensitive information such as troop positions and strategic movements.
Just weeks ago, Google had launched a major campaign promoting Android security, celebrating the approval of Pixel phones for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Information Network.
Google called it a “significant milestone” and described Pixel devices as “mission-ready” and resilient for government users. Until recently, only Apple and Samsung appeared on that list.
However, the Israeli military clearly believes iPhones offer stronger protection. According to The Jerusalem Post, the new policy follows a series of efforts to harden digital discipline, including training programmes and staged cyberattack drills inspired by Hezbollah-linked tactics designed to trick soldiers into compromising their devices.
Israel National News reports that the decision comes alongside fresh intelligence warnings and increasing concerns about sophisticated phishing and espionage attempts targeting defence personnel.
Meanwhile, Ynet News says Israeli officials are currently facing a new Iranian cyber campaign aimed at high-level government and defence figures. The effort, linked to the IRGC, allegedly uses WhatsApp lures, impersonation and a PowerShell backdoor to infiltrate targets.
As physical fighting continues on multiple fronts, a parallel digital war is accelerating.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
