Bans on ‘selfie-sticks’ increase globally   

自拍神器”多國遭禁 所發出電磁波對人體有害

從亞洲紅到了歐美，先后被美國廣播公司(ABCNews)和英國《每日郵報》評為假期購物季“最熱門”、“非有不可”禮物的“自拍神器”引發多種憂慮。之前，韓國就禁用藍牙功能未獲認證的自拍神器，新加坡也在若干場合禁帶自拍神器。 [查看全文]

(ECNS) - Art lovers, football fans and revelers heading to parties are among those who find themselves increasingly unwelcome in several countries if they use selfie sticks to take photos.

Also known as monopods, selfie sticks are hand-held, extendable poles that can be attached to smartphones or cameras and help users take pictures of themselves.

Monopods can be connected to phones via Bluetooth. Made mostly of aluminum alloy, some can be 1.2 meters long when extended and cost less than $20.

Regarded as the hottest selling item in the United States over the Christmas holiday, several museums in New York City, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, have pulled the plug over fears that the lengthy tools might damage art.

In Singapore, dance club Zouk banned selfie sticks at its music festival ZoukOut. Partygoers had to deposit the implements in lockers before entering the festival venue.

South Korea has also launched a crackdown. Anyone selling unregistered versions of selfie sticks could face a $32,000 fine or up to three years in prison, the country's Science Ministry announced.

The ban focuses on models that come with bluetooth technology, because they are designated as communications equipment given their use of radio waves. These types of selfie sticks have to be certified to ensure that they don't cause interference, according to the ministry.

Selfie sticks are already banned in stadiums during English Premier League matches. London clubs Tottenham and Arsenal were among the first to ban selfie sticks in their home stadiums, as they could be used as weapons or compromise public safety.

So far, China has remained silent over a possible ban of the "arm extenders."