DHS To Soon Ban Tablets, PCs, Cameras, Gaming Devices In Flights From Europe

And apparently it gets worse -- the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reported to be planning to expand its ban on electronic devices bigger than a mobile phone in all cabins of commercial planes leaving Europe. According to a report recently published by the Daily Beast, the US government agency is said to be making the formal announcement soon.

Back in March early this year, the DHS had announced that visitors to the United States from eight specific countries in the Middle East and Africa would be required to pack their laptop devices, tablets, DVD players, electronic game players, and cameras in checked luggage. The decision was said to a response to a supposed terror threat that the agency has yet to fully disclose.

Earlier this week, unidentified sources have shared to CBS News that the DHS is seriously considering continuing to increase the scope of the ban, at the cost of more instances of disruptions among travelers. CBS News’ report had stated that US officials are expected to make a final decision regarding the matter in the coming weeks. But as told by European officials to the Daily Beast this week, that decision could be finalized earlier than expected.

Last March, the US government imposed a laptop ban on flights coming to the US from any of the following eight Muslim majority countries -- Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. At the time of the announcement, there was concern that the ban would also apply to a number of phablet devices, especially those handsets that feature dimensions of 16 centimeters by 9.3 centimeters, or bigger. Although popular models like Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus, Google’s Pixel Xl, and Samsung’s Galaxy S7 are safe, devices such as HTC’s U Ultra are not. The Department of Homeland Security had also stated that the ban would go into effect immediately. Moreover, the ban would apply to the following ten airports in the eight countries mentioned earlier:

• Cairo International, Egypt

• Queen Alia International, Jordan

• Kuwait International, Kuwait

• Mohammed V International, Morocco

• Doha International, Qatar

• King Abudlaziz International, Saudi Arabia

• King Khalid International, Saudi Arabia

• Ataturk International, Turkey

• Dubai International, United Arab Emirates

• Abu Dhabi International, United Arab Emirates

Furthermore, airlines from these eight countries from the Middle East will have to comply with the new policy. These airlines are:

• Royal Jordanian

• Egypt Air

• Turkish Airlines

• Saudi Arabian Airlines

• Kuwait Airways

• Royal Air Maroc

• Qatar Airways

• Emirates

• Etihad