Cell Bytes

According to The Christian Science Monitor, some countries have taken steps to block cellphone use during unrest, eliminating a key tool for African activists and organizers.

When rioters took to the streets of Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, in Sep tem ber, the government swiftly called out the police. When investigators discovered that protesters mobilized via text messaging, the government called on private cellphone firms to turn off text messaging.

… Mozambique is not the first country to shut down or block information services in the interest of security. China and about 24 other countries block access to Google search, and Dubai and other countries have cut off Internet access on BlackBerry phones under the argument that radical groups could use such technology.

Read full article.

<Dr. Devra Davis's new book Disconnect — the result of an investigation into the data on cell phones and cancer, as well as the wireless industry’s efforts to stave off regulation — is convincing enough to give you pause before you fire up that iPhone. TIME reports.

Just as she saw with tobacco and lung cancer, Davis discovered that the wireless industry — often with the help of governments — had discouraged independent scientists who studied cell phones, and helped produced questionable science that effectively clouded the issue. “This is about the most important and unrecognized public health issues of our time,” says Davis. “We could avert a global catastrophe.”

Read more.

<Dr. Devra Davis's new book Disconnect — the result of an investigation into the data on cell phones and cancer, as well as the wireless industry’s efforts to stave off regulation — is convincing enough to give you pause before you fire up that iPhone. TIME reports.

Just as she saw with tobacco and lung cancer, Davis discovered that the wireless industry — often with the help of governments — had discouraged independent scientists who studied cell phones, and helped produced questionable science that effectively clouded the issue. “This is about the most important and unrecognized public health issues of our time,” says Davis. “We could avert a global catastrophe.”

Read more.

According to Text Loan UK’s press release, if you own a cell phone then you can avail this help anywhere in the UK. You just need to send one SMS from your mobile and money will be credited in your account within a few hours.

These advances offer the cash help of £100 ($158.-) for the time period of 7 days. It is small time period in which you need to return the borrowed amount with the interest. At the repayment time, the borrowed money will be deducted from your account electronically.

Coincidentally, GoMoNews today reports that UK mobile operator O2 is offering a “Lend Me” service to pre-paid top up customers.

SMS loans created havoc years ago in several countries with some lenders charging up to 1,000 percent interest. Mostly young people ran into huge debt problems. Read related articles:

– SMS loans are becoming a national problem for Estonia

– Mentally ill person can take a SMS-loan in Estonia

– Young Estonian became a drug mule for a large SMS loan

– Finns struggling with SMS loans

– Loans by text message send young Swedes spiralling into debt

– $300 Loans by Simply sending a Text Message

– SMS loans could be ruining your Christmas season

– Finland Should Ban Late-Night SMS Loans, Justice Ministry Says

Quelle horreur. Women are developing saggy jowels, ‘turkey necks’ and deep set wrinkles as a result of spending the day at their computers. A leading cosmetic surgeon has identified the growing phenomenon as ‘computer face’.

[via The Telegraph]

The Indian Information & Broadcasting Ministry has asked its officials to send an ‘SMS’ informing higher-ups whenever a negative news item appears in any media, particularly TV, as soon as possible.

[via Indian Express. Image from Travels of India]

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Syria is rolling out an electronic food voucher scheme for Iraqis after a successful pilot phase with 1,000 families which started in October 2009. [via Irin]

The initiative using cell phone technology will reach 9,600 families, comprising around 32,500 refugees, across Syria.

Iraqi families eligible for e-voucher food assistance are given a SIM card and receive a text message with a code during each two-month food distribution cycle. The voucher can be redeemed in selected government shops. After each transaction an updated balance is sent by SMS.

Read full article. Image from Amman Center.

Previously: Food Vouchers on Cell phone for Iraqi refugees

Ahead of the Ayodhya verdict Sep 24 – sealing the fate of the 60-year-old civil case for the title of the disputed 16th century Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh – the central government Wednesday banned bulk SMS and MMS services till Saturday to check rumours and a group of editors asked the media to refrain from sensational reporting on the matter. Sify reports.

‘All mobile telecom services providers in the country have been asked to ban bulk SMS and bulk MMS in all service areas with immediate effect for the next 72 hours,’ said an official statement by communications and information technology ministry.

Pointing out that there may be more than one judgements Friday on four different lawsuits on Ayodhya issue pending with the Lucknow bench of the high court, Home Minister Chidambaram said: ‘The issues involves complicated questions of fact and law.’

… Stressing on the need to maintain peace ahead of the verdict, the home minister said: ‘It would be inappropriate to reach any hasty conclusion that one side has won or that the other side has lost.’

Read full article.

Related: – With technology comes responsibility