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The Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero both have programmable GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins that could be used with "devices" to cause injury or interference, but naming them directly is unusual. Laptops are not prohibited, despite offering much more power and portability than a Raspberry Pi. Your laptop has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even a GPIO that could be exploited. Putting Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero on the same list as "Weapons, fireworks or explosives" doesn't tell us why they are prohibited, but it does put them in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Could they be used as nefarious, criminal devices that cause terror? Yes, if one were to put their mind to it, most objects could be used for such purposes. Perhaps the list of prohibited items should really focus on using terms to describe the use or intent of the prohibited item? Rather than Raspberry Pi or Flipper Zero, we should see "Single Board Computers", "Microcontrollers", "Signal Interception", or "Electronic Hacking tools". As Adafruit's blog post so eloquently states, "Public safety is a beacon, a flashlight, not a fog machine."
The world of television and movies has already used the Raspberry Pi as the "McGuffin," a device that moves the plot forward, in shows such as Mr Robot (the Raspberry Pi changes from a model B to B+ between shots), Person of Interest, and even Big Hero 6.
Watch On Are the names "Raspberry Pi" and "Flipper Zero" being used in the same way that we often use the brand to identify an object? For example, in the UK, we often say "Hoover" to mean "vacuum cleaner", "Biro" for a pen. US readers will often use "Band-Aid" for a plaster, "Velcro" for a hook-and-loop fastener, and " Google " for an internet search. If the Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero products are being used in that manner, then it is unfortunate, and a little education is required. I can almost guarantee that there will be a Raspberry Pi powering some device or installation inside.
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Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/new-yorks-mayoral-inauguration-bans-raspberry-pi-and-flipper-zero-devices-join-drones-guns-and-beach-balls-on-prohibited-items-list#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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