WASHINGTON (AP) -- Cell phones modified so they could detonate bombs by remote control were found by investigators probing the recent Saudi Arabia bombings, raising concern that such methods could be used in the United States by terrorists.
An unspecified number of rigged cell phones turned up during searches following the May 12 bombing in Riyadh that killed 35 people, including nine Americans. The FBI said Wednesday it had no information that such devices might be used in a specific terrorist plot in the United States but urged extra vigilance.
"Law enforcement agencies should remain alert to potential use of such devices and incorporate awareness into their counterterrorism preventive measures," the FBI said in its weekly bulletin to 18,000 state and local police agencies.</font>
Great. My garage door remote (attached to my key chain) has already been the subject of scrutiny by the TSA brain trust - now my cell phone? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif
Doppy
Jun 12, 03, 11:50 am
The FBI needed the bombing in Saudi Arabia to tell them that cell phones could be used to detonate bombs?
Haven't these idiots ever seen any action movies? Speed, for instance?
Honestly, our intelligence community's definition of "intelligence" seems to be "hindsight."
d
chalf
Jun 12, 03, 12:00 pm
Simple solution: ban cell phones within 5000 m of airport facilities. Or require anyone passing through a security checkpoint to make one call to a designated FBI number, and as part of doing so to provide confirmation of address, credit card number (to cover the cost of providing the security check service) and social security number.
[statements in jest--not to be taken seriously]
FWAAA
Jun 12, 03, 12:02 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chalf:
Simple solution: ban cell phones within 5000 m of airport facilities. Or require anyone passing through a security checkpoint to make one call to a designated FBI number, and as part of doing so to provide confirmation of address, credit card number (to cover the cost of providing the security check service) and social security number.
[statements in jest--not to be taken seriously]</font>
That at least sounds better than what I imagined would be the solution - banning cell phones from aircraft (I wouldn't put that past these morons at the TSA). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
bdschobel
Jun 12, 03, 12:34 pm
Well if they do that, it will be for our safety, after all! You aren't allowed to complain about it as long as they state a positive motive!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif
Bruce
GUWonder
Jun 12, 03, 2:31 pm
Always late, rarely right (on time). ;-)
In Kashmir (India), the Indian central govt. specifically delayed roll out of a wireless/cell phone system because of the fact that such devices were going to be used by terrorists/separatists/militants as well. Well, it did little to prevent anything as most remote-detonated IED/EDs just ended up using such simple things such as remote controls used for children's toys or walkie talkies.
Best thing is an effective personal/baggage explosives screener, then this becomes a non-issue, largely speaking (although there are examples of cell phones being adapted to conceal bullets and/or contain parts that can be used to piece together an improvised gun-like device).
clrankin
Jun 12, 03, 2:37 pm
I feel a new airport announcement coming on:
"Attention ladies and gentlemen in the terminal... For your improved security, the following items will no longer be allowed on aircraft bound for domestic destinations:
- Shoes
- Cellular Telephones
- Fingernail clippers
- Scissors
- Computers of any kind
- Items of any kind which could transmit or receive radio signals
For your additional protection, our security checkpoints now also require fingernail and toenail checks for all passengers bound for domestic locations as nails have now been deemed a potentially offensive weapon.
If a body cavity search is requested by one of our friendly personnel, please be as cooperative as possible. Thank you for your continued cooperation with security policies as we build a better, more complete TSA database about your life."
The TSA will be allowed to look at my cell phone and run it through the X-ray machine, but that's all. They may not turn it on if it's off (they can ask me and I'll be happy to do it). They may not mess around with it or make phone calls on it, period. And any screeners that try to give me a hard time over this had better prepare to live through a nightmare.
mikey1003
Jun 12, 03, 3:19 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chalf:
Simple solution: ban cell phones within 5000 m of airport facilities. Or require anyone passing through a security checkpoint to make one call to a designated FBI number, and as part of doing so to provide confirmation of address, credit card number (to cover the cost of providing the security check service) and social security number.
[statements in jest--not to be taken seriously]</font>
Fly naked, carry nothing!
mikey1003
Jun 12, 03, 3:21 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by clrankin:
If a body cavity search is requested by one of our friendly personnel, please be as cooperative as possible. .</font>
At least now I can get my annual prostate check at our friendly airport!
Billiken
Jun 12, 03, 4:33 pm
If the Mossad can turn a StarTac into a bomb, so can the bad guys. The casing on my phone is cracked from dropping it. Wanna bet that I get special attention if the phone gets examined?
As stated above, the TSA will over-react and make travel an even bigger pain in the neck.
NickP 1K
Jun 12, 03, 4:45 pm
Uhhh, any phone can be used to detonate an explosive with it's own trigger and mobile modem.... A LAND line could trigger an explosive as well with a wireless network modem as a trigger....
This is STUPID... Why not ban batteries, Notebooks, walkmans, etc, etc, etc.
Vaze
Jun 12, 03, 5:08 pm
We should go all the way and ban all people from all aircraft at all times, we would be safe then, no? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif
Billiken
Jun 13, 03, 8:23 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Vaze:
We should go all the way and ban all people from all aircraft at all times, we would be safe then, no?</font>
LOL!!!!!!
Spiff
Jun 13, 03, 8:27 am
"FBI now warning that cell phones could be used to detonate bombs"
Well, Duh!
Special report next week:
"FBI now warning that the internet could be used to detonate bombs"
"We're now looking to ban this internet thing before someone gets hurt" said TSA braintrust director Jeeves Boy.
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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry
NickP 1K
Jun 13, 03, 9:03 am
I'm with Vaze, I would feel really "safe" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif.... if we just ban people. Yeah, yeah that fixes it all...
[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited 06-13-2003).]
mmthomas44
Jun 16, 03, 9:29 am
My cell phone rings with misdials or other random things fairly often. It doesn't seem like a ultra-reliable way to set off any important timed event.
Spiff
Jun 16, 03, 9:46 am
Add a keypad code to your control circuit and you're protected from random rings.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mmthomas44:
My cell phone rings with misdials or other random things fairly often. It doesn't seem like a ultra-reliable way to set off any important timed event.</font>
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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry
richard
Jun 16, 03, 3:35 pm
I'm scared of using my cellphone now, I don't want to accidentally detonate any bombs http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif
FWAAA
Jun 16, 03, 3:42 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
I'm scared of using my cellphone now, I don't want to accidentally detonate any bombs http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif</font>