Samsung Electronics to Ban Camera Phone Use at Workplaces

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200307/kt2003070416522512350.htm' target='_blank'>http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200307/kt2003070416522512350.htm</a><br /><br /></div>"Samsung Electronics will prohibit its employees and visitors from using camera-enabled mobile phones on its premises, including semiconductor, flat-panel screen and home appliance plants, due to growing security concerns. The ban on the use of camera phones will become effective from July 14, after a two-week period of public advertising and adjustment, the company said. As camera phones become smarter, they are more likely to be used as tools for stealing the company's core technologies and confidential documents, it explained."<br /><br />It's interesting to see how phones with cameras are being banned from more and more places around the world - is this a good thing or a bad thing? I think I'd be pretty angry if I needed to use my phone but couldn't because it had a camera on it - I'd probably want to get a phone without a camera for just that very reason. What's your opinion on the subject? Vote in our first-ever Smartphone Thoughts poll!

[Skitals]

What I think is really funny is a couple posts down is the info on the Samsung phone with built-in camera :lol:

[KyleC]

If they are banning cameras because of security concerns, they it makes sense that cameras that may just *happen* to be phones should also be banned. :roll:

Oh, btw - nice Avatar, Jason! :D

[suhit]

Hey Jason,

Whatever happened to the cool animation on the polls, i.e. one showing the progress bars filling up to the appropriate percentages (like on pocketpcthoughts)? :)

Suhit

[TANKERx]

I think it's totally fair to ban camera phones from certain places.

Changing rooms is an obvious candidate for banning. How would you like to see your bare-bits posted on the internet without your consent? not for me thank you (not that anybody would want to put my bare-bits on the internet, but you get my drift).

Also, there is an argument for places where children are likely to be playing, but that's a difficult line between nanny-state political correctness and the right of parents to photograph their kids in the park.

[PJE]

What's needed is a single use stick on lens cover for mobile camera phones which is basically a disk of non-adhesive material surrouned by a ring of adhesive which rips easily to show if someone has tried to remove it...

On entry the sticker is applied, and if it has been torn before leaving you're in trouble!

The use of such phones in industrial espionage will prove to be more of an issue than illicit photos down at the gym. It is a problem that needs to be fixed.

Another possibility would be a bluetooth signal that could be sent t the phone to switch off the camera function, requiring a unlock code for it to work again... although this would rely on the phone haveing bluetooth ;)

Just a thought.

PJE

[Robert Levy]

What's needed is a single use stick on lens cover for mobile camera phones which is basically a disk of non-adhesive material surrouned by a ring of adhesive which rips easily to show if someone has tried to remove it...

On entry the sticker is applied, and if it has been torn before leaving you're in trouble!

That's a cool idea! I wonder if it's been tried anywhere...

[Robert Levy]

Hey Jason,

Whatever happened to the cool animation on the polls, i.e. one showing the progress bars filling up to the appropriate percentages (like on pocketpcthoughts)? :)

Suhit

That's one of the kinks still being worked on ;)

[entropy1980]

What's needed is a single use stick on lens cover for mobile camera phones which is basically a disk of non-adhesive material surrouned by a ring of adhesive which rips easily to show if someone has tried to remove it...

On entry the sticker is applied, and if it has been torn before leaving you're in trouble!

PJE
Time to patent it PJE!!! BTW Ford and other automakers have also banned camera phone usage on premise for the same reason of industrial espionage....

[entropy1980]

Hey Jason,

Whatever happened to the cool animation on the polls, i.e. one showing the progress bars filling up to the appropriate percentages (like on pocketpcthoughts)? :)

Suhit

That's one of the kinks still being worked on ;)
work faster....need ...cool poll effect....[homer voice]mmmm cool poll effect[/homer voice] :wink:

[JonnoB]

I guess those people with purported 'photographic memory' will be banned too as a potential subversive tool.

[jdmountford]

Ironic that a leading manufacturer and pioneer of camera phones has banned camera phones.

Why can't people just be honest?

THis world is going to hell in a hand basket. ANd to think companies are worried about phones that do less than 1 mega pixel images yet a guy could have a digital camera snapping shots.

Man people should worry about important things, like AIDS and Wars and Startving kids.