Israel bans mobiles in cabinet sessions

Link: Citing security, Israel premier imposes “no-cellphone” ban at meetings

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has banned mobile phones in cabinet meetings, due to potential that they can be used as bugs.

The premier has instructed ministers attending cabinet sessions to deposit their mobile phones with a security guard stationed outside the room, for fear the devices could be used to bug confidential discussions, the Ma’ariv daily reported Wednesday.

Olmert decided to impose the stricture after several mobile phones rang during a top-security briefing Shin Ben Internal Security Minister Yuval Diskin gave ministers at Sunday’s cabinet meeting.