Home Depot Foils Shoplifters With Power Tools That Require In-Store Activation

[link to www.zerohedge.com (secure)]

The largest home improvement retailer in the US is taking a significant stand against professional shoplifters by unveiling power tools that won't work unless scanned and activated via Bluetooth technology, according to Bussiness Insider.

Home Depot has been struggling with "organized retail crime," raiding its stores across the country and stealing millions of dollars worth of power tools. Thieves steal Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Bosche, among other power tools, and turn them around for quick cash on the street, pawnshops, or an online ad on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

Scott Glenn, Home Depot's vice president of asset protection, told Insider that introducing the new power tools that won't work if stolen is to combat "professional shoplifters" who are usually connected to a more extensive crime network.

Glenn provided limited details about the mechanics of the activation switch. However, hardware hacking website Hackaday wrote:

We would be really interested in getting our hands on one of these power tools to see what this kill switch looks like and how it works. Something like a Bluetooth activated relay is one option, or maybe even something that is integrated directly in the motor controller. If it were up to use, we would probably pick something that receives power wirelessly using a coil and requires a unique code. For their sake, we hope it's not something that can be deactivated with just a large magnet.





Now imagine the kill switch that they might be able to install in people!







All of this expensive technology to thwart thieves while all the honest customers foot the bill....sigh!

This person went to a/several BLM protests.

iPhones apparently now auto correct blm to capitalized!

sure....link of such store activated tool.

In every state there are a certain number of stores with decreased security in order to take just the right amount of loss in order for the tax write-off for shrinkage to out weigh the profits made bymselling those products. The barcode is the mark of the beast I wouldn't get too opinionated about his shit.

Have you ever seen a blutooth chipset? You think it can fit through a needle?

FFS, why did you take an otherwise good thread there??

One star just because of that one comment. You literally can't install a blutooth chipset in someone. While you can and RFID, what would blutooth do? Nothing.

Blutooth chipset > [link to mspoweruser.com (secure)]

Wouldn't this be considered "racist" in many neighborhoods?

And if you don't get vaccinated they'll turn your fucking tools off so you can't work.

This is reinforcing white supremecy

Meh, just open up the tool and remove the chip, rewire as necessary.

Better yet, stock up on hand tools - it's a sad day when your power drill has the potential of being hacked.

Not surprised. Another 5G IoT connection.

Again, the NSCAI is pull the string on all of this. Vax pass, credit scores, usage monitoring, etc.

IoT. 5G. Build Back Better.

You're either ON the grid or OFF the grid.

Most shoplifting is done by employees. 85%

Have you ever seen a blutooth chipset? You think it can fit through a needle?

FFS, why did you take an otherwise good thread there??

One star just because of that one comment. You literally can't install a blutooth chipset in someone. While you can and RFID, what would blutooth do? Nothing.

Blutooth chipset > [link to mspoweruser.com (secure)]

Meh, just open up the tool and remove the chip, rewire as necessary.

Better yet, stock up on hand tools - it's a sad day when your power drill has the potential of being hacked.