Paranoia Goes Better With Coke

**Miniver** · July 3rd, 2004, 01:03 PM

From Wired

AP 09:57 AM Jul. 02, 2004 PT

There's a new security threat at some of the nation's military bases — and it looks uncannily like a can of Coke. Specially rigged Coke cans, part of a summer promotion, contain cell phones and global positioning chips. That has officials at some installations worried the cans could be used to eavesdrop, and they are instituting protective measures.

Coca-Cola says such concerns are nothing but fizz.

Mart Martin, a Coca-Cola spokesman, said no one would mistake one of the winning cans from the company's "Unexpected Summer" promotion for a regular Coke.
"The can is dramatically different looking," he said. The cans have a recessed panel on the outside and a big red button. "It's very clear that there's a cell phone device."

Winners activate it by pushing the button, which can only call Coke's prize center, he said. Data from the GPS device can only be received by Coke's prize center. Prizes include cash, a home entertainment center and an SUV.

"It cannot be an eavesdropping device," he said.

Nonetheless, military bases, including the U.S. Army Armor Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky, are asking soldiers to examine their Coke cans before bringing them in to classified meetings.

"We're asking people to open the cans and not bring it in if there's a GPS in it," said Master Sgt. Jerry Meredith, a Fort Knox spokesman. "It's not like we're examining cans at the store. It's a pretty commonsense thing."

Sue Murphy, a spokeswoman for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, said personal electronic devices aren't permitted in some buildings and conference rooms on base.

"We've taken measures to make sure everyone's aware of this contest and to make sure devices are cleared before they're taken in" to restricted areas, she said. "In the remote possibility a can were found in one of these areas, we'd make sure the can wasn't activated, try to return it to its original owner and ask that they activate it at home," she said. "It's just another measure we have to take to keep everyone out here safe and secure."

The Marine Corps said all personnel had been advised of the cans and to keep them away from secure areas.

Paul Saffo, research director at The Institute for the Future, a technology research firm, compared the concern about the Coke cans to when the Central Intelligence Agency banned Furbies, the stuffed toys that could repeat phrases.

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**hawkburn** · July 3rd, 2004, 03:14 PM

This is amazingly funny. They think a prize-winning coke can is going to compromise "National Security." that's just bullshit really.

It's like when the FBI issued a warning that terrorists could use model airplanes as flying bombs. Not quite the same as the flying bombs were just used as a scare tactic so they could take more of our rights and freedoms away, but none the less useless crap.

**Psilaxs** · July 3rd, 2004, 04:07 PM

Goddamn if they cannot figure out electronic devices, but add a cannon or machine gun onto it and the military will have full and complete understanding of every nuance of a device.

**shawners** · July 3rd, 2004, 06:12 PM

I like the needle that was found in a can of pepsi.. =)

**URICHO_Corp.** · July 3rd, 2004, 06:23 PM

is thgis how i'm going to live the rest of my life in fear.m now more scared of a can than actual people.

**CCSDUDE** · July 3rd, 2004, 06:46 PM

"We're asking people to open the cans and not bring it in if there's a GPS in it"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....HA....

**moneoa** · July 3rd, 2004, 06:56 PM

I was about to say that as far as I knew even when it was legal coke and paranoia were hand in hand.
Then I read the thread and its another conversation entirely...go figure :ass

**CCSDUDE** · July 3rd, 2004, 07:07 PM

"We're asking people to open the cans and not bring it in if there's a GPS in it"

Doesn't anyone else think this is just fucking great? A prime example of what our army's top ranking officials think makes sense...

It's so close to asking a chimp to pick the yellow pointy thing...then handing him an apple...

**FrozenShadow23** · July 3rd, 2004, 11:00 PM

I love that too CCSDUDE.

"wait a tic, that's a GPS!! Get that outta here!"

I mean really, I can't believe they even have to say that to people. It's like saying, don't piss in your own home, NO SHIT!

**CCSDUDE** · July 3rd, 2004, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by FrozenShadow23

I love that too CCSDUDE.

"wait a tic, that's a GPS!! Get that outta here!"

I mean really, I can't believe they even have to say that to people. It's like saying, don't piss in your own home, NO SHIT!

No what I meant was...

The talk of this big threat...yet they tell people NOT to bring the cans in for inspection.

But yeah...that's a damn funny look at it too.

**Psilaxs** · July 4th, 2004, 12:20 AM

there is one scenario people seem to be over looking. Secret installations, imagine the "Prize Patrol" hovering around a military (or secret one) installation oh man, the chaos. Not to mention they may have to "silence the poor guys who discover "area 57 tango bravo delta".