Samsung released a statement recently about the TV sets that were stolen during the civil unrest last month.

According to the company, the stolen televisions can be remotely blocked once connected to the internet.

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Samsung said its television sets that were stolen during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng will be blocked when they connect to the internet.

Samsung has disabled all television sets that were looted from their Cato Ridge distribution centre in KZN since 11 July using a remote blocking technology.

Samsung explained that TV Block is a remote security function that detects if a Samsung TV unit has been activated unduly and prevents anyone – apart from the lawful owners – from using the television without valid proof of purchase.

“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, “said Mike Van Lier, Director of Consumer Electronics at Samsung SA

The company explained that TV Block kicks in when the user of a stolen Samsung TV connects to the internet in order to turn it on. Once the television is connected to the web, it is identified by the Samsung server by its serial number and the block is activated, disabling all the television’s functions.

samsung.com