Aydın Tiryaki (2026)
Technology often advances at breakneck speed, yet sometimes the simplest and most effective solutions take decades to become reality. Exactly 19 years ago, long before Smart TVs dominated our living rooms, I proposed a “digital seal” system to prevent the theft of Plasma and LCD televisions. Today, implementing such a system is even more feasible than it was then.
First, let’s look back at the original article I published on Milliyet Blog on February 13, 2007:
From the Archives (SUMMARY): Plasma and LCD TV Theft Can Be Prevented (Feb 13, 2007)
“Recently, we have been hearing more about the theft of plasma and LCD televisions. These devices are expensive and easy to transport, making them attractive targets for thieves. However, preventing this is technologically quite simple.
Just like mobile phones, a unique, non-erasable identification number (similar to an IMEI) could be embedded into the television’s main processor. A ‘Stolen TV Database’ would be established, where the numbers of stolen devices are reported. TVs would scan ‘blacklist’ data while receiving digital signals. If a TV’s own ID matches one on the list, a large, diagonal warning would appear on the screen: ‘This television is stolen’ or ‘This device was acquired illegally.’
No thief would be able to use or sell such a television. Buyers, seeing this warning, would instantly know the device is stolen. If this system were implemented, TV theft would cease to be a profitable crime and would effectively end on its own. Electronic engineers can easily design this; perhaps they already have, but it is not yet in use.”
With Today’s Technology: The Digital Seal is Stronger Than Ever
In the 19 years since that article, televisions have evolved from simple receivers into powerful computers at the heart of the home. The communication system that seemed complex in 2007 is now inherently part of our infrastructure through the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technologies.
With today’s capabilities, establishing this security system requires only a software protocol:
- Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): Every Smart TV now has a unique MAC address and serial number hardcoded into its chipset.
- Cloud Integration: As soon as a TV connects to the internet, it sends a “heartbeat” signal to the manufacturer’s server. If a device is reported stolen, its functions can be restricted globally with a single command.
- Layered Warning Systems: The “diagonal warning text” I proposed in 2007 can now be implemented as a non-removable software overlay. Even if the device is offline, blacklist data can be transmitted via digital satellite or cable metadata to trigger the lock.
Why Is It Not a Standard Yet?
We all remember how “snatch-and-grab” crimes in Turkey plummeted once IMEI tracking for mobile phones became the standard. If stealing a device turns it into useless “electronic junk,” there is no incentive to commit the crime. The same logic applies to televisions and other high-value electronics.
If tech giants and regulatory bodies agree on a shared database, property rights can be protected digitally. Even if a TV is stolen, the thief will be left with nothing but a screen screaming, “This device is stolen.”
In conclusion, what I shared as a vision 19 years ago is now simply a matter of choice. For a secure digital ecosystem, “digital handcuffs” are a necessity.
Footnote and Reference: This article is an updated version of the author’s original concept published on February 13, 2007. Original Article (Turkish): Plazma ve LCD TV hırsızlığı önlenebilir
A Note on Methods and Tools: All observations, ideas, and solution proposals in this study are the author’s own. AI was utilized as an information source for researching and compiling relevant topics strictly based on the author’s inquiries, requests, and directions; additionally, it provided writing assistance during the drafting process. (The research-based compilation and English writing process of this text were supported by AI as a specialized assistant.)
Aydın Tiryaki 