Media coverage on these issues has been widespread, globally. An ITN special report in January confirmed that such devices had been prohibited from certain schools and leisure centres nationally amidst fears of paedophilia. Other reports state that some UK Government buildings and corporations are also banning such devices. Abroad, the Raffles Hotel chain has again forbidden the use of such camera phones due to infringement of privacy rights in its gyms, whilst the country of Saudi Arabia has outlawed these camera phones in their entirety, nationwide. Just recently, China confirmed its grave concerns about the devices, stating that it too was considering a nationwide ban; the country of China constituting a quarter of the world’s population. Naturally, handset manufacturers like Nokia and Sony Ericcson stand to lose billions of pounds globally, if such prohibition is imposed. Closer to home, when questioned about such bans, David Sparks, Chief Executive of the Amateur Sports Association, said: “ I really can’t see any other way around tackling the situation”.

Some time ago this interview, Iceberg Systems (IS) embarked on research and development programme to address the above issues and a ‘way to tackle the situation’. Called ‘Safe Haven’, the technology comprises of a facility that intermittently sends a signal announcing its presence. If a portable imaging/data device is in receipt of the signal, it “knows” it is in a “Safe Haven” area and the imaging device is disabled. Once out of range of the facility signals the portable image/data device to be re-enabled. In broad terms, the technology has the ability to control the use of said devices within a restricted area, whether it be a school, leisure centre, corporation and so on, creating a so called ‘wireless privacy zone’.
This technology is applicable globally.