New York's Mayoral Inauguration bans Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero — devices join explosives, guns, drones, and beach balls on prohibited items list
The invitation to Mayor-elect Mamdani's inauguration lists Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero as prohibited items but does not provide a reason.
(Image credit: Pexels)
The impending inauguration of New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani invites coverage of the usual safety information. At the event, no large bags, drones, strollers, or, remarkably, Raspberry Pis or Flipper Zero devices are allowed. The last two entries on the list are the popular single-board computer (SBC) and the Swiss Army knife of hacking tools. The latter, sure, that could be used for some nefarious deeds, but the Raspberry Pi? That would take some work.
(Image credit: Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani inauguration team)
List of prohibited Items
Keeping everybody safe is the top priority. Whether it's an inauguration, concert, or large-scale event, everyone has the right to feel safe, and that is where event security comes into play. In an open invitation to New Yorkers, the Mayor-Elect invites everyone to attend the inauguration on January 1st, bring a hat and scarf to keep warm, and some snacks to share, but you'll have to leave your Raspberry Pi at home. Why? Is this more "Security theater" than actual security?
No reason is given; attendees are just told not to bring them. So if you wanted to set up a time-lapse camera or make some cool LED lights to celebrate the inauguration, you are out of luck. The Flipper Zero, which is legal to carry, does have the capability to monitor and interfere with many different signals, but if that were the only reason to prohibit the devices at the event, then organizers would also have to prohibit other, more powerful portable electronic devices — your smartphone being one of them.
The Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero both have programmable GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins that could be used with "devices" to cause injury or interference, but naming them directly is unusual. Laptops are not prohibited, despite offering much more power and portability than a Raspberry Pi. Your laptop has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even a GPIO that could be exploited. Putting Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero on the same list as "Weapons, fireworks or explosives" doesn't tell us why they are prohibited, but it does put them in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Could they be used as nefarious, criminal devices that cause terror? Yes, if one were to put their mind to it, most objects could be used for such purposes. Perhaps the list of prohibited items should really focus on using terms to describe the use or intent of the prohibited item? Rather than Raspberry Pi or Flipper Zero, we should see "Single Board Computers", "Microcontrollers", "Signal Interception", or "Electronic Hacking tools". As Adafruit's blog post so eloquently states, "Public safety is a beacon, a flashlight, not a fog machine."
