Cellular Repo Man · Slashdot Mirror

Posted by kdawson on Tuesday March 31, 2009 @10:57AM from the new-low-for-crippleware dept.

LateNiteTV sends in news of a "kill pill" from LM Ericsson AB that a wireless carrier could use to remotely disable a subsidized netbook if the customer doesn't pay the monthly bill or cancels their credit card. "...the Swedish company that makes many of the modems that go into laptops announced Tuesday that its new modem will deal with [the nonpayment] issue by including a feature that's virtually a wireless repo man. If the carrier has the stomach to do so, it can send a signal that completely disables the computer, making it impossible to turn on. ... Laptop makers that use Ericsson modules include LG Electronics Inc., Dell Inc., Toshiba Corp., and Lenovo." The feature could also be used to lock thieves out of the data on a stolen laptop.

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bullshit by Reality+Master+201 · 2009-03-31 11:03 · Score: -1, Flamebait

A device attached to your started by people that sell used cars? Apart from the questionable legality, there's the expense (that'd take a cell connection with a monthly charge, or a big ol' broadcast tower), and the fact that anyone could go to their mechanic and have it removed.
Try harder.