The DGT has created a Big Brother against belts and cell phones. Next objective: the continuous line

Little by little, without making much noise, the DGT has been expanding its horizons. First there were speed cameras. Then came mobile controllers and the use of helicopters. And, over the years, a continuous expansion of cameras to monitor the use of seat belts or mobile phones. And, now, for the continuous lines. By land… and air. In Spain there are currently active, a total of 3,395 devices to control speed or any other type of infraction, according to data collected by Faconauto. These data not only include the DGT controllers, it must be taken into account that the Basque Country and Catalonia have transferred powers and that the municipalities can also have their own devices. According to the DGT itself, which collects this data on its website by compiling the position of all its radars, in Spain there are more than 1,300 points to be monitored between fixed and mobile radars. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that, regarding the latter, the DGT has empty boxes scattered throughout the territory national as an intimidating measure. To these systems we must add the performance of Pegasusthe DGT helicopters that chase speeding from the air. Some teams that, despite being leaders, seem to have become obsolete next to the Catalan teams in this sense. Not just radars. In this aerial surveillance, the DGT does not only live on speed radars. The public entity has more than 200 cameras that monitor the use of the seat belt and the mobile phone. We are talking about teams that can sanction us with 200 euros and four points In the first case and with 200 euros and six points of the driving license if we use the second one. But, in addition, in recent times the DGT has introduced a new type of controllers. With cameras, the agency is able to detect if a driver skips a stop sign or skips a continuous line. Infractions, both, punishable by a fine of 200 euros as they are considered serious infractions. Madrid as a laboratory. Of these last continuous line control cameras, the four registered by the DGT are located in Madrid. The region is the one highlighted by the DGT. All of them are located near the capital. According to the data shown by the DGT itself, we find them in the following locations: Camera type Road kilometer point Sense continuous line A1 15.95 Decreasing continuous line A2 11.8 Decreasing continuous line A42 16.9 Decreasing continuous line A6 20.2 Decreasing And how do they work? The system, explained by the DGTit’s simple. A camera in each lane detects at the beginning of the monitored section which cars are traveling on each side of the continuous line. Thus, they record all the license plates that pass by. At the end of the controlled section, the camera has to record the same car again. In case the second camera does not coincide with the first, the answer is clear: the driver has jumped the solid line. That is, if it appears in the right lane (let’s say camera A) in a first step and when leaving the monitored section it is recorded by the camera in the left lane (let’s say camera B), the driver has skipped the solid line. The same happens in the opposite case. In the event that the license plate is recorded by the same camera (A or B) at the two monitored points, the car will not have moved from its place: Photo | Google Maps and Xataka In Xataka | The 0 and ECO label classification of cars is broken: it is being filled with highly polluting combustion cars

ended up revealing a network that smuggled thousands of cell phones

Mobile phone theft in London It has become a widespread problem. In most cases, trying to locate them is only useful when they have been lost, not when they have been stolen. Criminals often turn them off instantly and the signal disappears without a trace. But this time something different happened: tracking a stolen iPhone ended up opening an investigation that revealed a network that sent thousands of devices from the United Kingdom to Asia, according to data published by the Metropolitan Police and British media. Official figures help to understand why mobile theft occupies so much space on London’s security agenda. In 2024, nearly 80,000 complaints were registered in the capital alone, with a rebound in the most tourist and commercial areas. The phenomenon is not limited to isolated thefts: many of the thefts end up fueling a black market that moves thousands of devices out of the country. This background explains the interest of the forces in going beyond petty robberies and focusing on the networks that organize them. How a tracking attempt ended up uncovering an international network The case began after the tracking of a stolen iPhone led the police to a warehouse located near Heathrow airport. There they discovered a shipment with around a thousand phones that were going to be transported to Hong Kong. Based on that discovery, the Metropolitan Police opened the Operation Echosteepa large-scale investigation into a possible international network dedicated to the smuggling of stolen cell phones in London. Once the operation began, the investigation grew rapidly. The Metropolitan Police added expert units in smuggling and organized robberies to track the shipments. Each seized package provided new clues: forensic analysis of the packaging, matches on labels and patterns on sealing materials. These tests took investigators to various points in the capital and allowed them to identify the first suspects related to the handling and transportation of the stolen phones. In September the investigation took a decisive leap. The Metropolitan Police arrested two men in northeast London for their alleged involvement in the network and found in their properties around 2,000 phones. Shortly after, another operation in Islington ended with the seizure of around 40,000 pounds – about 46,800 euros – and several devices. During those weeks, more than thirty searches were carried out in homes and premises in the capital, with a total of 46 arrests related to the trafficking of stolen cell phones. The final figures measure the magnitude of the network. In one year, the network would have managed to send up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones to Hong Kong, equivalent to 40% of the thefts reported in London. According to the Metropolitan Policethe group mainly targeted Apple products due to their high value in the international market. Middlemen paid thieves up to £300 per phone and, once in Hong Kong, some were resold for more than $5,000. For its part, The Times points out because the case originated after the tracking of an iPhone through the application Find My. There is no official confirmation from the Metropolitan Police about which tool was used, although everything indicates that it was that one. It makes sense: Find My is Apple’s built-in system to locate devicesand allows you to track not only phones, but also computers, tablets or accessories. It would be strange if an alternative had been used, given that there is such a useful and widespread native tool. The case demonstrates that a tracking tool can be more than just a resource for recovering a lost phone. On this occasion, it served, according to investigations, to connect an everyday robbery with an international smuggling network. It does not solve the problem of the stolen cell phone market, but it leaves evidence that is difficult to ignore: when technology is applied rigorously, even a location signal can open a line of investigation that previously seemed impossible. Images | Metropolitan Police (1, 2) In Xataka | Amazon and Google have buried their voice assistants at the same time

Cell phone resale soars in US after TikTok ban

The possible definitive suspension of TikTok in the United States, promoted by Donald Trump’s administration, has generated an unexpected trend: the sale of cell phones with the application installed at exorbitant prices. Since last January 19, when the federal ban on the popular app was implemented, which It was removed hours latersocial networks have witnessed a growing market of devices that offer guaranteed access to TikTok, despite the restrictions. The ban on TikTok in the US responds to concerns related to national security and freedom of expression. The US government demands that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, sell the app to a US company that it is not considered a “foreign adversary.” The Trump administration has granted a 3-month extension to evaluate the final implementation of the law, which keeps TikTok in legal and operational limbo. This uncertainty has led to unusual behavior among the app’s users. A message reading “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now” is displayed from the TikTok app on a cell phone screen on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Andy Bao) The rise of cell phone resale with TikTok In recent weeks, reselling mobile devices with TikTok pre-installed has become a viral phenomenon. On platforms like Twitter and Facebook Marketplace, Sales of iPhones have been reported at disproportionate prices, justifying the cost with the presence of the installed app. A notable case is that of an Apple iPhone 15 Pro advertised for almost $5,000. Sellers emphasize that the device includes TikTok, making it a desired item for those who deleted the app before the ban or who want to maintain continued access to their accounts. This emerging market highlights the urgency of some users to return to the platform and the symbolic value that TikTok represents for millions of people. However, it has also generated criticism and debate about the rationality of paying exorbitant sums for a phone with an application installed. The impact of the possible definitive ban on this social network has not only generated frustration among users, but also an intense debate on the internet. While some criticize the US government’s measure as an attack on freedom of expression, others mock the desperation of those who are willing to pay thousands of dollars for a cell phone. On platforms like Twitter, memes and satirical comments abound. On the other hand, content creators and frequent TikTok users express their concern for the possible loss of a key tool for your work and social life. Many of them have begun to explore alternatives in other applications, such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, although without the same impact that TikTok offered. Many are taking advantage of the desperation that the TikTok issue has caused in some in the US. (Photo: Ashley Landis/AP) TikTok: more than a social network For millions of people, TikTok is not just an entertainment app. It is a space where they can express themselves freely, connect with global communities and access creative and educational content. The ban has highlighted how political decisions can directly affect users’ digital lives. According to experts, The suspension could also have significant economic repercussions. Many influencers and small businesses depend on TikTok to promote their products and services. Without this platform, they could face challenges in reaching their audiences and generating revenue. Donald Trump’s administration has been clear in its intention to ensure national security, arguing that TikTok could be used to collect sensitive data from American users. However, it has also shown a willingness to negotiate a solution that allows the continuity of the application under new conditions. The 3-month extension could be an opportunity for ByteDance to reach a deal with a US company or for the government to implement additional regulations. Meanwhile, users and content creators remain waiting for a final resolution. Keep reading: * Donald Trump would support Elon Musk owning TikTok: “If he wanted to buy it”* China urges US to ensure “fair business environment” for TikTok* Trump says he will “probably” give TikTok a 90-day extension to avoid a US ban.

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