{"id":31215,"date":"2012-09-13T07:10:38","date_gmt":"2012-09-12T23:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/techielobang.com\/blog\/?p=31215"},"modified":"2013-08-23T17:42:47","modified_gmt":"2013-08-23T09:42:47","slug":"mindef-reply-on-banning-of-devices-with-screen-more-than-4-3-inch-in-army-camps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techielobang.com\/blog\/2012\/09\/13\/mindef-reply-on-banning-of-devices-with-screen-more-than-4-3-inch-in-army-camps\/","title":{"rendered":"MINDEF Reply on Banning of Devices with Screen More than 4.3-inch in Army Camps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated on 23rd August 2013: MINDEF updated their reviews on phone cameras and in-vehicle cameras<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, MINDEF (Ministry of Defence) announced the much anticipated news that many NSMen or Active SAF personnel are waiting for. They have started a pilot security zoning programme at 14 camps<\/a>. What it means is that with this programme, camera phones can finally be brought into these camps at selected areas.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(picture source from Facebook)<\/a><\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

However, after the implementation, news trickled in mentioning that these camps do not allow devices that are more than 4.3-inch in screen size (see above picture).<\/p>\n

I could not co-relate why screen size is included in the mobile phone criteria when the whole objective is to allow or disallow mobile phone with camera into the camp.<\/p>\n

I tried to asked around but could not get a good answer. Finally, I decided to write to them and they have replied me with some answers. I will not copy everything here but some important\/interesting information<\/p>\n

The pilot implementation of the security zoning system only allows servicemen to bring camera-equipped mobile phones into the designated Green Zones of the 14 selected SAF camps. The 14 camps were chosen due to the high number of NSmen and NSFs who train in these camps. A post-implementation review will be conducted six to nine months after the pilot implementation.\u00a0 The media will be informed accordingly on the outcome of the review and the way ahead.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The above is something we already know and it sounds logical. However, the point below is something that many might not know or agree.
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Existing security policies and restrictions on other devices such as iPads and other tablets are still in-place and are subjected to further review. Mobile phones with screen size larger than 4.3 inches, with or without camera, are not allowed into SAF camps. This aims to prevent servicemen from bringing unauthorised mini-computers into SAF camps.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Based on the information above, the whole point is that they are worried about mini-computers into the SAF camps. It has been a while since I heard about the term “mini-computer”. I tried to Google mini-computer but they are old stuffs (Minicomputer<\/a>, Superminicomputer<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, I think they meant small size computers in general. However, to ban mobile phones based on size means that many new phones will be in the “banned” category. These “big” phones may have the same or lower processor than those phones with smaller screen size. <\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, I think banning a phone based on screen size is not a good or correct way. Instead, they can: –<\/span><\/p>\n