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http://news.com.com/Screeching+mobiles+that+give+thieves+ear+bashings/2100-1039_3-6121684.html
October 2, 2006
By Reuters
Remote XT has created a product of the same name that will cause a mobile phone to emit a piercing electronic sound if stolen. It will also block access to certain data stored on the phone. The product is only avaiable on smart handsets (phones which integrate applications such as Internet access and/or GPS navigation software). When the phone is stolen, a signal is sent to the phone and all of the phone's data (such as contact numbers, images, e-mails, etc.) is wiped out (the software backs up the data) and it emits an ear-piercing sound.
This product is aimed towards business users who hold confidential data on their phones, such as e-mails. It will also affect thiefs because they may be in for a shock if they steal a phone and try to use it, and have a screaching sound in their ear.
One ethical issue this raises is where does the software keep the backed-up data that it wipes from the phone? If it keeps it backed up on the phone, if a theif wanted the data on the phone bad enough, they could take it to someone and get them to restore the data. If the backed-up data is kept somewhere else, will the company make sure the data gets erased once it is restored?
The impact to society is that people who have important information stored on their phone will not have to worry about someone seeing it if their phone gets stolen. It may also cut back on the number of phone thefts, if thieves know that they will not be able to use or get any information from the phone.
This is a good thing because it helps to cut down on phone theft and data on someone's phone would be protected if it did get stolen.
October 2, 2006
By Reuters
Remote XT has created a product of the same name that will cause a mobile phone to emit a piercing electronic sound if stolen. It will also block access to certain data stored on the phone. The product is only avaiable on smart handsets (phones which integrate applications such as Internet access and/or GPS navigation software). When the phone is stolen, a signal is sent to the phone and all of the phone's data (such as contact numbers, images, e-mails, etc.) is wiped out (the software backs up the data) and it emits an ear-piercing sound.
This product is aimed towards business users who hold confidential data on their phones, such as e-mails. It will also affect thiefs because they may be in for a shock if they steal a phone and try to use it, and have a screaching sound in their ear.
One ethical issue this raises is where does the software keep the backed-up data that it wipes from the phone? If it keeps it backed up on the phone, if a theif wanted the data on the phone bad enough, they could take it to someone and get them to restore the data. If the backed-up data is kept somewhere else, will the company make sure the data gets erased once it is restored?
The impact to society is that people who have important information stored on their phone will not have to worry about someone seeing it if their phone gets stolen. It may also cut back on the number of phone thefts, if thieves know that they will not be able to use or get any information from the phone.
This is a good thing because it helps to cut down on phone theft and data on someone's phone would be protected if it did get stolen.
posted by Emily @ 9:21 PM
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