Santa Fe Ignores WiFi Allergists; Recognizes Setting Up WiFi Isn't A Violation Of The ADA

from the bring-on-the-lawsuits dept

Mon, Jun 16th 2008 11:11am — Mike Masnick

Last month, we noted that a bunch of folks in Santa Fe, New Mexico were claiming not only were they allergic to WiFi, but the city's plan to install WiFi hotspots would be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Considering that multiple double-blind studies have shown there's no such thing as a WiFi allergy, we figured that those complaining of it should at least be forced to prove that such a thing exists. Indeed, it now appears that Santa Fe has decided to ignore the so-called WiFi allergists and move forward with installing WiFi. One of the folks protesting claims in response: "My first reaction is, it's a disaster. My second reaction is, they're inviting a lawsuit." That would be a fun lawsuit to follow, as I would imagine they'd have to show some sort of proof that a WiFi allergy exists.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: ada, allergic, santa fe, wifi

26 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Anonymous Coward, 16 Jun 2008 @ 11:47am

TV gives me a rash and adds 10 pounds
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Jun 2008 @ 11:53am

Hmmm, I think I will claim to have a 'tax allergy'. I know I can prove taxes exist and that I don't like paying them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- hegemon13, 16 Jun 2008 @ 12:01pm
  
  Re:
  Yeah, and I can prove that I get an elevated heart rate and shortness of breath when I come into visual contact with a tax bill. Good idea.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
userX, 16 Jun 2008 @ 12:08pm

i'm alergic to moving slowly, speed limits violate my civle rights
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Jeffry Houser (profile), 16 Jun 2008 @ 12:16pm

I wouldn't mind..
I wouldn't mind if my tax dollars went to a study to examine the effects of stuff in the air ( WiFi, Bluetooth, Cell Phone, Radio ) on people.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Tony, 16 Jun 2008 @ 4:59pm
  
  Re: I wouldn't mind..
  Well, I would mind. If you are so interested in funding research like that, why not donate directly, instead of making other people pay for it?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
anne, 16 Jun 2008 @ 12:26pm

I know one of these people. She swears on her mother's grave that she's allergic to cellular and wi-fi signals. I think she's fucking nuts.

My favorite torture is to whip out my PDA, which she doesn't know has a wi-fi signal, and I start reading my email and surfing the Net while she explains her theories about wi-fi signals, migraine headaches and heart palpitations. So far, she hasn't dropped dead in front of me.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Hugh Mann, 16 Jun 2008 @ 1:25pm
  
  Re:
  Keep trying....
  
  MBA
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Tim, 16 Jun 2008 @ 4:24pm
  
  Re: Keep Trying!
  Maybe you'll discover she's right, and then...! Wonder if that will qualify for a Darwin Award?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
James, 16 Jun 2008 @ 12:34pm

Allergies
I have a severe allergy to techdirt. I plan to sue.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
workerbee, 16 Jun 2008 @ 12:53pm

I'm allergic to work. Will someone please give me some money.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Daniel, 16 Jun 2008 @ 12:59pm

sad.
The fact that people are actually going forward with such junk as a WiFi allergy, and are threatening to sue over it just continues to show that people will do anything to get their 15 minutes in the spotlight. Another sad pathetic day in the life of the American Public.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Jeje, 16 Jun 2008 @ 1:01pm

Weird
My mother in law gives a headache. I'll sue her.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Steve R. (profile), 16 Jun 2008 @ 1:04pm

Serial Entranpeanuer Opportunity
On June 13, 2008 TechDirt reports 'Free Software' Scammers Fined $2.2 Million"

This is a great business opportunity if you would like to sell Faraday Cage.

Be a servant for those who suffer from RF allergies. The Faraday Cage an antihistamine that relieves your allergy symptoms. In fact if you call now, you will be sent two Faraday Cages for the price of one as a preferred customer.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Learn to spell, 16 Jun 2008 @ 2:56pm
  
  Re: Serial Entranpeanuer Opportunity
  Entranpeanuer
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
uncle bob, 16 Jun 2008 @ 1:06pm

If these people sue, they're gonna need a lawyer... I recommend Jack Thompson.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Jack Thompson, 16 Jun 2008 @ 1:27pm

WiFi allergies cause terrible illnesses in people, as do video game allergies, television allergies, wireless telephone allergies, computer allergies, electricity allergies, and allergies to anything that involves technology. I can back this up with no facts and only my testimony. I will also be suing you for recommending my services to somebody and using my name.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
ehrichweiss, 16 Jun 2008 @ 1:36pm

please, please, please, please sue...
No really, please give us all a laugh that we will talk about for generations to come because the smoking lawsuits were the first step, then the "fast food makes us fat" lawsuits were icing on the cake, so if we get to watch a bunch of people who can't even prove such an allergy exits(whereas we can prove lung cancer, emphysema and obesity exist at least) then I'll be sure to point and laugh at all the hypochondriacs, Luddites and other whiners.

Maybe we need to wear those Wifi detector shirts(they're really shirts with a wifi detector built into/onto them) just to show them that they're out of their minds and that they're already likely being bombarded by wifi-type radiation every single moment of their lives.

I remember hearing a story from my psychology teacher about a guy who thought he was a turnip.

Psychologist: What are you?
CrazyGuy: I'm a turnip.
P:Can turnips bleed?
CG: No, of course not.
Psychologist then takes a small Xacto knife and cuts the tip of his thumb.
CrazyGuy looks at his thumb as it's bleeding and then declares "I guess turnips CAN bleed"

Even with empirical evidence to the contrary, these nut cases are going to believe what they will but judges aren't going to allow the cases to proceed without proof positive so that will be our biggest saving grace.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Allergic, 16 Jun 2008 @ 1:40pm

Allergic to Stupid people
I'm allergic to stupid people. I'd like to sue those people and their insurance companies for stupid people causing me headaches. I have a legitimate cause and effect. Jack, can you represent me?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
John (profile), 16 Jun 2008 @ 2:35pm

A better headline...
... would be "Company Finally Stands Up to People".

How many stories have we read where companies give in to people with every little complaint, many of which are completely bogus.

Though I would be willing to bet that there's a lawsuit coming... complete with "expert consultants" (meaning: paid to say things) about how wi-fi allergies really exist.
While the case may be a no-brainer, the city will still have to spend thousands or millions of its tax dollars in court. :(
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Jerk, 16 Jun 2008 @ 5:01pm

I'm allergic to knives, they make me break out in a red ooze when i slide my skin accros them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Jun 2008 @ 6:55pm

Time to roll out my self grounding Mylar lined track suit, guaranteed to block all hi frequency radiation. Order now and I'll through in a free roll tinfoil.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Another Anonymous Coward, 16 Jun 2008 @ 8:56pm

What are you supposed to do if you're allergic to WiFi AND aluminum foil? I also no longer breathe out and I wear shoes 2 sizes too small so I can reduce my carbon dioxide footprint.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Agonizing Fury, 16 Jun 2008 @ 11:18pm

I wonder...
I wonder if these people with a supposed wifi allergy use a microwave oven? I know that my microwave creates much more electromagnetic energy in the 2.4 GHz range than my Wi-Fi as every time I start cooking something in it, my Wi-Fi drops off. (Very irritating when streaming a movie to the TV from my server and someone decides to make popcorn).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
lauren, 19 Jul 2008 @ 10:33pm

why is everyone so sure!
I just don't get why on this particular topic, ordinary people are so sure that there can't be any problem with wifi exposure. As Americans and especially Santa Feans, you would think we would question anything coming from authority. Fact is, my 5-year old son stopped having screaming headaches and started sleeping through the night when we shut the wifi off overnight. I've seen first-hand how it affects him in a most unusual and uncomfortable way in public places where he is in close proximity to wifi transmitters. Why all the anger? How can you be so sure it's not real? I love wifi. And yes, some people have a sensitivity to the microwave oven as well. Others don't. I still don't stand in front of it when it's running. There are so many things in this world that we don't understand, when did you start thinking you know everything - or worse yet, believing the well-funded "studies?"
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- greg, 8 Aug 2008 @ 9:35am
  
  Re: why is everyone so sure!
  The initial post, suggesting that you and your son (and animals) are being showered with much more powerful radiation than that from wifi, is why we think this is most likely the power of suggesion and/or mental illness. There have been more interesting studies on the effects of electromagnetic radiation on birds and bees, and of digital phones on our cranial nerves when held to the head--but wifi at a distance is unlikely to cause immediate ill effects in humans.
  The anger is probably at the prospect of jerks using up our public monies with baseless lawsuits.
  The laughter is because when daily experience of the majority contradicts the claims of a few, the few lose. Especially when they are jerks.
  Mob rule, aka democracy, has some weaknesses, and i agree we should not blindly accept innovation...but these people don't have my sympathy.
  As for your son, assuming there is no wifi from other sources, that you didn't change anything else at the same time you stopped using wifi at night, and that the wifi isn't plugged in next to his bed, well, i'm glad he's better but anecdotes like this aren't going to convince...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]