Tag Archives: StolenPhoneDatabase

US carriers can now block activation of stolen smartphones if they head abroad

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US wireless industry group CTIA has announced that a stolen phone database launched last year by T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint and Verizon is now final, including integration with international carriers. That'll let foreign operators block stolen US device activations, a bone of contention for law enforcement officials stateside. They complained that the list was having no impact on thefts, since organized crime groups were simply dumping devices overseas where their serial numbers couldn't be detected. Police would prefer to also see kill switches installed in handsets to truly put a dent in phone-knapping, but carriers have strenuously objected to that idea -- strictly out of self-interest, according to some. For its part, the CTIA said that the completed database at least means there are fewer countries where gangs can hawk their stolen wares. Still, as the carrier group pointed out, if a stranger asks to "borrow" your phone for directions, just, don't.

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The Verge

Source: CTIA

Canadian carriers launch centralized database of stolen phones

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In the latest installment of Grand Theft Mobile (TM): Canadian phone thieves face a major hurdle now that several carriers in the country have launched a centralized blacklist of stolen devices. Canada's Protect Your Data initiative combines collections of pilfered gadgets' IMEIs -- a unique identifier that most phones have -- not only from each participating carrier in the country, but also from the US carriers' unified database. The joint effort will allow the companies to cross-check against everyone's rosters and refuse to activate any GSM, HSPA, HSPA+ or LTE device that appears in them. While only phones reported stolen or lost starting September 30th will automatically be listed, carriers have the option to add devices lost before that. While only phones reported stolen starting September 30th will automatically be listed, carriers have the option to add anything lost before that. It might not bring people's phones home, but at least those no-good snatchers will wish they'd stolen something simpler instead, like wallets, or cars.

[Thanks, Mackenzie]

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Source: CBCNews, Protect Your Data

US carriers agree to build stolen phone database, blacklist hot handsets

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US carriers agree to build stolen phone database, blacklist hot handsets
What's the best way to deter a thief? Ruin the spoils, of course. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint have agreed to a broad outline that will culminate in the creation of a central database for stolen cellphones. The goal? To block lifted units from functioning on US shores. Over the next six months, each firm will build out its own stolen device database for integration into a larger, central database, said a Wall Street Journal source, with regional carriers joining the effort over the following two years.

"We are working toward an industry wide solution to address the complexity of blocking stolen devices from being activated on ours or another network with a new SIM card," said a T-Mobile spokesperson, "This is not a simple problem to solve." The quartet of wireless providers hope to imitate the success UK carriers have seen with similar efforts. With any luck, the program will put an end to massive phone-heists and the awkward public relations stunts that imitate them.

US carriers agree to build stolen phone database, blacklist hot handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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