The major cellphone carriers in the US have agreed to a deal with the US government to build a central database of stolen cellphones in the US. This database will be designed to track any smartphone or cellphone that has been reported as lost or stolen.
The four companies involved in the database include AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The idea behind it is that it will make it difficult for stolen or lost mobile phones to be re-sold as they will be tracked via the database.
“New technologies create new risks,” said Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, which negotiated the database proposal. “We wanted to find a way to reduce the value of stolen smartphones.”
How the Database Will Work
The central database will function by storing the unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of reported stolen or lost phones. When a phone is reported as missing, its IMEI number will be added to the database. This will allow carriers to block the device from being activated on any network, rendering it useless to thieves. The database will be accessible to all participating carriers, ensuring that a stolen phone cannot simply be taken to a different carrier to be reactivated.
The database is expected to be centralized within 12 months, with individual carriers rolling out their own databases within 6 months. This phased approach allows carriers to integrate their systems and ensure that the database is robust and effective.
Impact on Smartphone Crime
It will be interesting to see if the new database has an impact in cutting down smartphone crime in the US. The initiative aims to reduce the incentive for theft by making it harder to profit from stolen devices. In countries where similar databases have been implemented, there has been a noticeable decrease in smartphone theft. For example, in the UK, the introduction of a central database for stolen phones led to a significant drop in mobile phone theft rates.
In addition to reducing theft, the database could also help in recovering lost phones. If a lost phone is found and reported, it can be checked against the database to verify its status and potentially return it to its rightful owner.
The database will also have a broader impact on the second-hand phone market. Buyers will be able to check the status of a phone before purchasing it, ensuring that they are not buying a stolen device. This added layer of security could increase consumer confidence in the second-hand market, potentially boosting sales of used phones.
“This is a significant step forward in protecting consumers and reducing crime,” said Genachowski. “By making stolen phones less valuable, we are taking away the incentive for theft.”
The collaboration between the major carriers and the government highlights the importance of addressing smartphone theft as a public safety issue. With millions of Americans relying on their smartphones for communication, work, and personal safety, reducing theft is a critical priority.
The creation of a central database for stolen cellphones in the US represents a proactive approach to combating smartphone theft. By making it more difficult for stolen phones to be re-sold and increasing the chances of recovery, the database has the potential to significantly reduce smartphone crime. As the database is rolled out and becomes fully operational, its effectiveness will be closely monitored, and it may serve as a model for other countries looking to address similar issues.
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