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
-
Even Dangote cannot escape katanomics
33 minutes -
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files appeal asking for immediate prison release
44 minutes -
Come again, Bank of Ghana!
53 minutes -
$120,000 stolen from Ghanaian financial institution by hackers – INTERPOL
56 minutes -
How presidential control has weakened Council of State – Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh explains
1 hour -
Why Council of State must be fixed, not scrapped – Constitution Review Chair explains
2 hours -
A second look, not a veto – Constitution Review Chair makes case for Council of State reform
2 hours -
U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria signal major shift in West African security
2 hours -
Too young to lead? – Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh says Ghana’s Constitution undervalues its youth
2 hours -
Let the people decide – Constitution Review Chair pushes back against fear of ‘young presidents’
3 hours -
Both of these influencers are successful – but only one is human
3 hours -
‘We suffered together’ – Amorim changes style as Man Utd win
7 hours -
‘I have never prayed before in my life’ – Seun Kuti
7 hours -
AU flatly rejects Somaliland bid, reaffirms Somalia’s unity
8 hours -
Mali rally to claim draw against AFCON host Morocco
8 hours