As experimentation with smartphones and other devices are reaching maturity and are being used in production, South Africa needs new laws with regards ultrasonic sound (all human inaudible sound).
It is advisable to structure the law in the same way in which a firewall is structured.
An outright ban all all devices functioning outside the spectrum of human hearing. Then, to license the sale of devices that offer benefit to humans such as anti pest sonic generators, medical ultrasound scanners and other special purpose devices. The law could also allow for sonic devices used in the interests of national security or by the South African Military.
If South Africa does not have legislation that bans the suppliers of any mobile device from selling devices capable of operating outside the spectrum of human audible sound, then companies and people are allowed to “self regulate” and basically do whatever they want.
Example of invisible Assault: Directed ultrasonic sound now does not affect the operator, as it used to, a year or so ago. Directed ultrasound does actually go through brick walls.
Examples of Consumer Abuse: Currently all microphones and output devices offered on all mobile smartphones operate on the entire spectrum, with no regulation or limitations except the technical limitations of that particular device. Cross device tracking (targeted advertising marketing) is simply consumer abuse and could be happening, right now, at a mall near you. Smartphones (apps) can talk to other smartphones, without the ‘owner’ of the smartphone even knowing. Data can be transmitted between smartphones, ‘silently’ as the human owner of the smartphone cannot hear the frequencies used. The American Government has already issued warnings to developers, but an outright ban, in the case of South Africa is required.
Some researchers recommends that Android and iOS provides users interfaces to control microphone access, but as we all know in real life, consumers simply click on ‘allow access to microphone’ if their new chat app, or whatever, requires that to offer human audible sound access. It is the writers opinion that inaudible audio is not required by consumers on smartphones and that people should be protected. As this technology expands, there is nothing good, ethical, moral or even good for humans therein.
There are of course a whole range of human abuse possible if there are no laws controlling inaudible frequencies.
What you can do: Send an email to the South African Government, ask them if they are evaluating legislation to control ultrasonic sound. Talk about this, spread the word, make people aware of the consumer, privacy and many other issues issues surrounding their smartphones.