Police may block mobile devices via Apple

[vjf915]

http://rt.com/news/apple-patent-transmission-block-408/

Apple has patented a piece of technology which would allow government and police to block transmission of information, including video and photographs, from any public gathering or venue they deem “sensitive”, and “protected from externalities.”
In other words, these powers will have control over what can and cannot be documented on wireless devices during any public event.
And while the company says the affected sites are to be mostly cinemas, theaters, concert grounds and similar locations, Apple Inc. also says “covert police or government operations may require complete ‘blackout’ conditions.”
“Additionally,” Apple says,” the wireless transmission of sensitive information to a remote source is one example of a threat to security. This sensitive information could be anything from classified government information to questions or answers to an examination administered in an academic setting.”
The statement led many to believe that authorities and police could now use the patented feature during protests or rallies to block the transmission of video footage and photographs from the scene, including those of police brutality, which at times of major events immediately flood news networks and video websites.
Apple patented the means to transmit an encoded signal to all wireless devices, commanding them to disable recording functions.
Those policies would be activated by GPS, and WiFi or mobile base-stations, which would ring-fence ("geofence") around a building or a “sensitive area” to prevent phone cameras from taking pictures or recording video.
Apple may implement the technology, but it would not be Apple's decision to activate the “feature” – it would be down governments, businesses and network owners to set such policies, analyzes ZDNet technology website.
Having invented one of the most sophisticated mobile devices, Apple now appears to be looking for ways to restrict its use.
“As wireless devices such as cellular telephones, pagers, personal media devices and smartphones become ubiquitous, more and more people are carrying these devices in various social and professional settings,” it explains in the patent. “The result is that these wireless devices can often annoy, frustrate, and even threaten people in sensitive venues.”
The company’s listed “sensitive” venues so far include mostly meetings, the presentation of movies, religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals, academic lectures, and test-taking environments.

Discuss.

 

[JohnS.]

While I do understand the reasoning behind this, it'll never truly work IMO. There are other means of documenting data without using mobile devices.

And some people want way too much control.

 

[203CT]

Wow

 

[takeachance]

who cares lol, this would be great for movie theaters though.

Its also a rush just to patent things before someone else can think of the tech, doesn't mean it will be used, besides if they wanted to they can just kill the towers around said venues or use signal blocking tech. Sensationalist people out there make me lol

 

[lowlife9]

why don't they do this while people are driving in there cars you would think saving lives would be more important.

 

[KleinMein]

well done! less and less liberty for all ....I think it's time to get rid of this spy device

 

[R3dline]

thought you were leaving for the navy?

 

[TokyoSkies]

Gotta love the government's horseshit. As far as I'm concerned, if you don't want people filming/using their devices, state that the devices aren't allowed. Surely, people will get them in. But that is a risk you have to take, and there should be nothing of public magnitude that is THAT sensitive.

 

[ImportFan1]

I hate governments and the bullshit regulations they try and come up with.

 

[mymmeryloss]

thought you were leaving for the navy?

Havent you heard about the new set of rules the navy has implemented?

Theyre trying to change their image snd theyre no longer allowing gays in.

He is waiting for a loophole...


Sent from my Butthole using Fart power!

 

[vjf915]

Nope, Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone. Being gay is perfectly fine in the Navy. That being said, even though my d**k curves slightly to the left, my sexual preference is straight I leave next Tuesday.

 

[mymmeryloss]

Sent from my Butthole using Fart power!