At the January 1, 2026, NYC mayoral inauguration, attendees are banned from bringing specific brand-name devices, including Raspberry Pi single-board computers and Flipper Zero, alongside weapons and drones. Critics argue this device-specific ban, rather than focusing on behaviors or capabilities, leads to confusion and reflects security theater, as more capable devices like smartphones and laptops are still permitted. This approach contrasts with New York’s previous, more pragmatic handling of large-scale events. The policy raises concerns about selective enforcement and the rationale behind such restrictions.
