What Is a “Laptop Farm”? Amazon Blocks 1,800 North Korean Applicants Over Security Concerns

Global e-commerce giant Amazon has blocked around 1,800 job applications linked to North Korean nationals, citing serious security risks associated with a practice known as a “Laptop Farm.” The move highlights growing concerns over misuse of remote work infrastructure by foreign operatives.

Rising Suspicion Over Remote Job Applications

According to reports, North Korean IT workers have been aggressively applying for remote, work-from-home jobs in US-based tech companies. The alleged objective is to earn foreign currency, which is then routed back to North Korea and reportedly used to fund illicit activities, including money laundering.

Amazon’s Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt, in a LinkedIn post cited by AFP, revealed that job applications originating from North Korea increased by nearly one-third over the past year, prompting heightened scrutiny.

What Is a “Laptop Farm”?

A Laptop Farm is a covert setup where computers physically located in the United States are remotely operated from another country. This allows foreign workers to appear as if they are working from within the US, bypassing security checks, IP tracking, and compliance requirements.

Security experts warn that such operations pose a serious cybersecurity threat, as they can be exploited for data theft, hacking, and surveillance.

Identities Allegedly Concealed

Investigations suggest that applicants often hide their true identities, using falsified or suspicious educational credentials. These inconsistencies reportedly raised red flags during Amazon’s internal vetting processes.

Industry-Wide Security Threat

Amazon has cautioned that this issue is not limited to a single company, but could be widespread across the global tech industry. Remote work environments, while flexible, have opened new vulnerabilities for exploitation.

In a related case, a woman from Arizona was sentenced to eight years in prison in July this year for operating a Laptop Farm that helped place North Korean IT workers in over 300 US companies. Authorities stated that both she and the foreign operatives financially benefited from the illegal operation.

Beyond the US: Regional Espionage Concerns

Reports further indicate that North Korean operatives have also targeted South Korea, using platforms like LinkedIn to gather intelligence on employees working in defense-related companies.

A Wake-Up Call for Corporations

The incident underscores the urgent need for stronger verification systems, cybersecurity protocols, and international cooperation to safeguard corporate data and national security.

As remote work continues to expand globally, companies are being forced to rethink hiring practices to prevent misuse of technology and protect sensitive information.