WASHINGTON-The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that mobile phones and other small electronic devices could be used by terrorists in government buildings and other areas with security checkpoints, including airports.
DHS sent the advisory encouraging further scrutiny of these devices to commercial airlines and law-enforcement officials. The advisory was a result of prototype devices found in an al-Qaida safe house.
Airports were ordered to meet with security personnel to review procedures for small electronic devices, Brian Turmail, spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration, told the Associated Press. Electronic devices must now go through the screening machine and should be removed from bags.
The government warned late last month that terrorists might be planning airline highjackings.
DHS Secretary Tom Ridge told reporters Tuesday that there is no indication that there have been attempts to use the devices.
