The Mobile App That Helps Mexicans Get Across the Border
Ricardo Dominguez is a co-founder of The Electronic Disturbance Theater (EDT), a small group of cyber activists and artists engaged in developing the theory and practice of Electronic Civil Disobedience (ECD).
The EDT has mainly focused its electronic actions against the Mexican and U.S. governments to draw attention to the war being waged against the Zapatistas and others in Mexico.
Their latest project is the development of the Transborder Immigrant Tool, a GPS device based on a cheap cell phone that will help Mexican immigrants safely cross the border.
According to an interview with VICE, Dominguez explains that the primary goal of the Transborder Immigrant Tool is to increase safety during border crossing by directing heavy-footed immigrants to safe routes, shelter, food, water, and friendly sympathizers.
Based on the Virtual Hiker Tool, Dominguez and his research lab BANG (Bits, Atoms, Neurons, and Genes) took the GPS enabled Motorola i455 phone, which is under $30, available even cheaper on eBay, and cracked it to create a simple compass-like navigation system.
“We were also able to add other information, like where to find water left by the Border Angels, where to find Quaker help centers that will wrap your feet, how far you are from the highway—things to make the application really benefit individuals who are crossing the border.” Dominguez explains.
Dominguez isn’t too concerned about the border authorities impression of the tool either.
“I would imagine they won’t be too happy with us, but again we’re not trying to hide. It’s a safety tool….They’re well aware of who we are and what we do. Once they get full knowledge of the Transborder Immigrant Tool—and we’re very transparent about it—I’m sure they’ll be quite critical.” he says.
Based in London, Zee is Editor in Chief of The Next Web and Principal at online marketing and new media agency WeDoCreative . Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
This should be consider illegal and u should not be promoting illegal activities. This person should be arrested. He is taking away services and jobs from real americans.
@g — I’m glad to know that “real Americans” are well-educated and can speak proper English. HA!
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What should be illegal (and in fact is under international law) is the cowardly and terroristic use of remote technologies to direct attacks with unmanned drones resulting in civilian deaths on repeated occasions. This is a practice of the United States of America. In addition, the U.S. should be taken before international tribunals for a number of practices at home and abroad which violate laws related to labor, immigration, trade, human rights, and war. The people of the U.S. are largely non-players in their own lives and the actions of our government. It is increasingly up to the peoples of the world to stand up against us and defy us. In fact, it is clear that is going on increasingly and all over the globe. It is high time.
G,
So it’s illegal immigrants’ fault that our unemployment levels are at 10% nation-wide? Explain please…
…seems to me that a lot of folks fail to realize that “Mexicans” are “Americans” also…I’m not condoning what Mr.Dominguez is doing in any way shape or form…and believe that if you want to live and work in the “United States” that you should apply for a visa and come on in…we are a Country founded by people who were persecuted in their homelands and should understand that that’s what has made us attractive to those that still live in those conditions…yet we have become a Nation of Prejudice and dare to look down on those who are less fortunate and are simply trying to make their lives better…I agree that “real Americans” fail to grasp the concept that they need to be active in how our government is run and if you think something is unjust, stand up, speak up, then get out and vote for it…instead of blaming people for helping those less fortunate, remember where we all come from…remember slavery, remember the holocaust, remember the persecution of Europeans simply because of their religious beliefs…the “pilgrims” came to this land and didn’t ask permission to be here…they settled in a land that was already populated with several different nations and opened the door for others like them to come here and declare war on these nations and seize their lands…this is how our “Great Nation” was founded…not from declaring independence from England, but by doing what most of us would consider to be terrorism…and for you Bible Thumpers, I believe it goes “Ye who be without sin, cast the first stone”…so get a with it people…and put something good in the peace pipe to smoke with your neighbors…
…lol…