On July 11, 2021, the Samsung warehouse in Cato Ridge was looted, as a result of the riots in KwaZulu-Natal, the home province of former President Jacob Zuma, as he started a 15-month stretch behind bars for contempt of court.
Samsung announced that it will be remotely bricking smart TVs that were looted from the warehouse.
As Samsung televisions ship with a TV Block app, which connects to Samsung servers the minute an internet connection is available. The device reports its serial number and if it matches a list of missing hardware, all television functions are killed off remotely.
Samsung’s South African operation says service can be restored if valid proof of purchase and a TV license is provided.
“In keeping with our values to leverage the power of technology to resolve societal challenges, we will continuously develop and expand strategic products in our consumer electronics division with defence-grade security, purpose-built, with innovative and intuitive business tools designed for a new world,” said Mike Van Lier, director of consumer electronics at Samsung South Africa.
“This technology can have a positive impact at this time, and will also be of use to both the industry and customers in the future.”
