Police may block mobile devices via Apple

[the86d]

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

[Ninety]

It's usually nice to add a little or recap from the article..

from what it sounds like is a block on transmission of current ground opperations.. but it also states that it could block the actual taking of pictures.. a little odd.. and I wouldn't expect it to bold well for Appl Stock.

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.”

[Brianguy]

Another reason to buy an android

[Eldraque]

Unlikely this will be used. Phone companies are grabbing up whatever patents they can just in case.

[Kurus214]

There are many countries that demand a much higher
Level of invasiveness and control. This could be a
Country specific feature for those countries

[the86d]

Another reason to buy an android

...running Cyanogen, as Cyanogen probably will never include such Socialist features.

I can't even see developers of derivative ROMs keeping this function in a device if it could be removed.

I've never bought an Apple product, and I never will. I have more old Android devices than I know what to do with, but that is because they have always been WAY cheaper than OSuX devices.

Linux based everything FTW.

[stilly]

I do not really see police using this, but federal govt for some reason I think would latch on to it. BUT, this is of course ONLY after the mandatory turn in your phone campaign followed by massive ANDROID PHONE BUY BACKS and then the outright banning of android phones or any phone device that is NOT apple...