Originally Posted by
dark_horse
Are the rules not just BA's implementation of the law?
There is also the fact that under the law you have to obey any instruction given by a member of the crew. In this case the instruction is to keep mobiles and electronic equipment turned off. In this context, the discussion of this is moot. Also on my last few flight, the cabin crew have given specific equipment a mention saying, phones, smartphones, iPads, kindles, ebooks. They are obviously aware of all the arguments about this or that.