This archive report was first published on 28 August 2021.
On August 28, 2021, Samsung South Africa announced a security solution to combat the theft of its TVs in the country. The solution, known as TV Block, is a remote security feature that detects if Samsung TVs have been activated unlawfully and disables their functions.
TV Block is preloaded on all Samsung TVs and was designed to prevent the creation of secondary markets for stolen goods. The feature works by identifying the TV's serial number on Samsung's server when it is connected to the internet. If the TV has been stolen, the blocking system is triggered, disabling all its functions.
However, if a legitimate owner's TV is blocked in error, Samsung promises to restore it once proof of purchase and a valid TV license are provided. The company's Director of Consumer Electronics, Mike Van Lier, emphasized the importance of this feature in giving customers peace of mind.
While it is unclear whether Samsung will use this feature on a case-by-case basis or only in large-scale cases like the recent warehouse break-in, TV Block is a welcome feature that could have a positive impact in Kenya and beyond.
