News - MPS might use tablets and smartphones in Commons in future

[HEXUS]

Ban on tweets from Commons should be lifted, says committee.

Read more.

[Tpyo]

I'm happy with the MP tweeting out if they so wish. Even having emails/briefings and last minute updates from staff (whilkst in session!) on a tablet seems fine to me. HOWEVER, I think smarphones should be banned so they cannot take/make calls or even ring to disturb a session. Call me paranoid but amongst other things, I don't want someone there telling them in real time what to say and how to vote. Okay, so they could do that via MSN or something but in general, I think all audio communication should be disallowed.

I'd even support the idea of each MP being given an 'official' tablet with full functionality but limited on what apps are permitted (no games etc. but communication and work-related allowed). There would be NO legitimate reason to try to hide/dete information from it and as an official device, this could also be inspected at any point if there was any evidence of wrongdoing to provide an electronic paper/audit trial.

I guess they should read the articles on whole disk encryption and securing your mobile data first though.

[father smurf]

I guess they should read the articles on whole disk encryption and securing your mobile data first though.

On previous track record - I think pen and paper would be safer.

Wonder who will foot the bill for the new toys?

[Tpyo]

On previous track record - I think pen and paper would be safer.

Wonder who will foot the bill for the new toys?

Pen and paper would be alittle more time consuming to encrypt when (not as) they lose it.

Face it, if you don't give them an official one and put the terms/limits on then, they'd only claim the most expensive shiny new Ipad2 model they could get their hands on as an office expense and play angry birds in the back benches.


I figure you could hold evidence of deletion as evidence malfeasance on an official device (like US gov email accounts - fair point, that didn't exactly do as it should have with S Palin). Plus you could make it their liability (they are issued one free. Lose it and they have to contribute to the replacement, which is still returned at the end of their term in office).

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I assume the Apple Store will soon be getting a large order for the most expensive consumer versions of the iPad and iPhone. On top of this they will need a nice expensive contract with plenty of inclusive data.

FFS, they are finding more and more creative ways to waste our money!!

MPs in most other countries seem to do their job fine with a laptop or desktop and a normal mobile phone.

Now they can claim more money for expenses too:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12852926

[Saracen]

On previous track record - I think pen and paper would be safer.

Wonder who will foot the bill for the new toys?

As I understand it, they're already supplied with official laptops, phones, etc, (one of a new MPs first tasks is to go collect these) so I think the answer to that is pretty predictable. The taxpayer will.

[crossy]

MPs might use tablets and smartphones in Commons in future

No problem with that - just as long as the sly sods don't try and put some top-of-the-range iPad2 or Motorola Xoom - along with associated data plan - on the expenses. If they want the jewellery then they have to pick up the purchase and running costs. Twitter use, or at least sensible/measured use, sounds like a good idea to me - follow your MP/MSP/MWA and keep tabs what they're up to, or local interest topics.

I'm also assuming that there'll be a ruling that phones either have to be switched off, or put on silent, during debates. Although, got to say, that I would have thought there would have been damn all chance of hearing the Nokia "deedle dee de deedle dee" during the zoo-like free-for-all that passes for some of these "debates".

Only concern is the usual one - loss of data. I'm guessing that it's not that easy to get good whole-disk encryption software for tablets, and certainly not for smartphones. So, in absence of that, I'd guess that as a tax payer I'd be content for the public purse to pick up the cost of some decent anti-malware software with remote wipe capability, (which I know does exist because I've got such a product on my phone).