Feature allows company to remotely deactivate stolen TV

Samsung has unveiled the existence of the Television Block, a feature that allows you to remotely deactivate any television that is stolen or used by someone who is not the legal owner. “This technology is already pre-loaded on all products in the Samsung TV range,” said the South African branch of the high-tech giant on its site on August 6.

The company announced that it had activated the system on devices in South Africa. She decided to resort to the Television Block after Samsung televisions were stolen on July 11 from a warehouse in KwaZulu-Natal province.

TV functions rendered inactive

The theft took place during the violence and looting that had multiplied that month in the country, recalls The Verge. “The purpose of the technology is to combat the creation of parallel markets linked to the sale of stolen goods, both within South Africa and beyond the country’s borders,” the South Korean manufacturer wrote.

Television Block will kick in when the user connects the stolen product to the Internet to turn it on. The system will recognize the device’s serial number as one that was stolen during looting. It will then deactivate all the functions of the television. In the event of unjustified blocking, the user has the option of sending Samsung proof of legal purchase by email. In this case, the company will restart the product. However, it did not specify whether “Television Block” allowed the deactivation of televisions stolen from individuals.