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Cellular Repo Man

Posted by kdawson on 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.

3 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. Rogue Wireless Carrier SysAdmin by GPLDAN · · Score: 4, Funny

    How much fun will it be when the wireless carrier fires Crazy Stu, the wacky UNIX sysadmin with the penchant for conspiracy theories and bad dental health.

    When HR comes around to fire Stu, he leaves his timebomb in place. The one that fires out the kill message to hundreds - nay - thousands of customers - and disables their leased laptops all at once.

    What a day that will be.

  2. Re:Used car salesmen use the same thing by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 5, Funny

    that's just good business sense. Even the mafia won't off-you if you're 5 minutes late on your payments

    As someone who just became five minutes late on my 'protection' money, I can attest to th

    --
    My blog
  3. Re:Used car salesmen use the same thing by c6gunner · · Score: 4, Funny

    As someone who just became five minutes late on my 'protection' money, I can attest to th

    Well, at least the goons were nice enough to hit the "preview" and "submit" button for you, in addition to all the other bits that they were hitting ...