Audio By Carbonatix
Electronics giant Samsung has "blocked" TVs stolen in South Africa during the unrest in July, rendering them unusable.
The company says it has an inbuilt “block function” on its TVs that can be used to disable the sets remotely.
The function is activated when a user of a stolen TV or one that has been acquired unlawfully connects to the internet, according to Samsung.
The system checks the identified TV’s serial number against the list on its servers before disabling its functionality.
South Africa had weeks of violent protests and looting last month that left more than 300 people dead, and property worth billions of rands ransacked.
Some of the reportedly popular items that were stolen were smart TVs.
The ability to remotely disable TV function has received some praise among online users for its potential use to deter crime, with some also noting its potential for abuse.
One person noted that Samsung was taking "electronic revenge" on looters of its TV sets, while another said it was more reason "never to connect a TV set to the internet".
Latest Stories
-
Prof Antwi-Danso cautions ECOWAS against rushed troop deployment to Benin
13 minutes -
Africans must reclaim their dignity and history – Dr Ibn Chambas urges
20 minutes -
Local production key to food security – Fisheries Minister
26 minutes -
Mahama commends US for lifting tariffs on Ghana’s agricultural exports
32 minutes -
Only punishing the public – FABAG rejects ‘insensitive’ tariff hikes amid soaring inefficiency
39 minutes -
Kumasi schools face dangerous air pollution – Researcher warns
44 minutes -
Veep hails private medical schools’ role in strengthening Ghana’s healthcare
51 minutes -
Reset the system, not tariffs – FABAG demands full audit before any increases
1 hour -
Former Liverpool co-owner Hicks dies aged 79
1 hour -
Hojlund scores twice as Napoli beat Juventus to go top
1 hour -
Spurs investigate Yves Bissouma nitrous oxide claim
2 hours -
Pressure increases on Alonso as Celta Vigo beat 9-man Real Madrid
2 hours -
Canadian airline to start cancelling flights ahead of planned strike
2 hours -
Death of Venezuelan opposition figure in custody ‘vile’, US says
2 hours -
Trump says $72bn Netflix-Warner Bros deal ‘could be a problem’
2 hours