Business

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Blacklist for lost, stolen smartphones

Won't be as attractive to criminals

By: LuAnn LaSalle

Posted: 11/9/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Canada's wireless carriers are targeting smartphone theft by setting up a database that will blacklist lost or stolen phones to prevent them from being reactivated.

The move would also help protect personal data on such devices, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association said Thursday.

Smartphones are worth $600 to $700 and can be resold on the black market, association president Bernard Lord said.

"With this database, it makes that a lot less attractive because the buyer of the stolen phone will not be able to connect to any network in Canada," Lord said from Ottawa.

"It eliminates the incentive for stealing a device."

The idea is also to reduce the black market value of a smartphone in the eyes of criminals, Lord added.

Once consumers call their wireless carrier to report their smartphone lost or stolen, the device's internal identification number goes on the electronic blacklist.

Lord said even though more smartphones are lost than stolen, law enforcement officials have raised concerns about the issue.

The database for the Canadian wireless industry will be up and running by September 2013 and Canada's carriers will also be contributing to an international database to help prevent smartphone theft, he said.

However, consumers who have their smartphones lost or stolen are "not off the hook" for paying their smartphone contracts.

A website will also be set up by the association to help consumers protect their smartphone data and help protect themselves from theft.

Lord said the smartphone's ID number -- the international mobile electronic number -- will be verified by carriers to make sure the device has not been lost or stolen.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission congratulated the wireless industry for the initiative, but would like the database running sooner rather than later.

"I would strongly encourage the industry to implement the database before September 2013 to ensure Canadians benefit from this added protection as soon as possible," chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said in a statement.

The creation of a database and collaboration to make sure stolen or lost devices aren't reactivated will help make them less desirable to thieves, Blais said.

"The CRTC has been concerned for some time about reports of an increase in crimes involving lost or stolen cellphones."

Telus said while the wireless industry, law enforcement, and regulators all have a role to play, smartphone users need to think about where they're buying their devices.

"We ask consumers to reconsider buying phones on sites like eBay, Craigslist, or Kijiji and instead buy their devices from a verified dealer," Telus spokesman Shawn Hall said.

"If you buy a phone from Craig'slist it might be legitimate, but it could be stolen and then you will likely be unable to get it activated," he said.

Canada's wireless industry will spend about $20 million on the initiative, Lord said.

The United States will have a similar database to fight the black market for smartphones in November 2013.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 9, 2012 B10

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Business

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.