Arrested for having Garmin device

[Mac]

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-woman-india-arrest-garmin-gps-device

So, since Iphones can now communicate with satellites, does this mean that anyone with an Iphone can be arrested in India (and several other countries).

 

[KRooney]

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-woman-india-arrest-garmin-gps-device

So, since Iphones can now communicate with satellites, does this mean that anyone with an Iphone can be arrested in India (and several other countries).

I don't think that an iPhone by itself can connect via satellite. I've seen companies who market a small satellite adapter which pairs with an iPhone. Maybe an iPhone14 with appropriate software can do it without an external adapter.

 

[Mac]

https://support.apple.com/en-us/105097

 

[skiguy]

I can empathize with this woman, but the burden and responsibility of this situation is on her. She is the foreigner in a foreign country. Do your homework. To say it's Garmin's fault does not have enough documentation is just a cop out. To quote the article:
"A fine print disclaimer notes some counties prohibit the use of satellite communication devices.”
“It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used,” Garmin writes.
If you are traveling to obscure places on the planet, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence to know and protect yourself at every turn in the road. She screwed up and no one else did.

 

[BillyGr]

Seems like this would be something that perhaps the airlines should do when people buy their tickets.

With the ticket, send a list of "unusual" laws that the country the flight is going to has that the average person wouldn't know, or at least a link to where such is available. Would just make it easier, since many may not even think of things like this, and even those who do might have issues finding such information when the country in question is not primarily English speaking (that is, trying to understand the language of the country).

 

[Mac]

I can empathize with this woman, but the burden and responsibility of this situation is on her. She is the foreigner in a foreign country. Do your homework. To say it's Garmin's fault does not have enough documentation is just a cop out. To quote the article:
"A fine print disclaimer notes some counties prohibit the use of satellite communication devices.”
“It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used,” Garmin writes.
If you are traveling to obscure places on the planet, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence to know and protect yourself at every turn in the road. She screwed up and no one else did.

Absolutely agree (about Garmin users).

 

[skiguy]

Seems like this would be something that perhaps the airlines should do when people buy their tickets.

With the ticket, send a list of "unusual" laws that the country the flight is going to has that the average person wouldn't know, or at least a link to where such is available. Would just make it easier, since many may not even think of things like this, and even those who do might have issues finding such information when the country in question is not primarily English speaking (that is, trying to understand the language of the country).

Again, the onus is on the user. Read the fine print. Know where you're going especially if you are going to the backcountry of countries like India. Yes, the rules differ from place to place but that is part of the adventure. this is not a walk in the park. If you are traveling into the domain that this woman did yes communication with others and your personal whereabouts ranks right up there as a primary priority. So, attend to the priorities. If that can't be accomplished on one's own, then maybe you should be going somewhere else. Relying on another commercial entity to spoon feed one's deficiency's only leads to more expected reliance that actually might not be there to begin with. She's lucky she did not get locked up. Consider yourself lucky. Lick your wounds and strike it up to experience.