Submitted by Marshall Walker on
AT&T will launch a new service to deny voice, data and SMS access on stolen or lost iPhones starting Tuesday. According to an internal AT&T email obtained by The Verge, the carrier will compile a "blocklist" of stolen devices to help cut down on mobile phone theft.
The email sent to customer service representatives says the new security measure will begin on July 10th. It also states that customers "can now request the stolen device be blocked from use by others on the AT&T network", and that the line will be "automatically suspended if any attempt is made to use a device." Users will have to contact a customer service rep directly to add a device to the list. Customers with remote data wipe apps will also be required to activate them to restrict access to personal data.
In April, the FCC announced that it would compile a national database of stolen phones with the help of the four major U.S. carriers. The FCC said that mobile cell phone theft is a "growing epidemic," and that "each individual cellular carrier will build its own database over the next six months." All four companies have agreed to begin blocking devices in the future.
Comments
Bob Bobson replied on Permalink
That’s good. I think they can still swap the SIM card to make it still be worth stealing the hardware itself, but at least it should help deter theft somewhat (at least once word gets around; until then, people will still lose their phones because the thief isn’t likely to return it once it is locked).
Anonymous replied on Permalink
You are missing the point. the IMEI of the phone will be blocked so ANY account that puts their sim card in a stolen phone will be suspended. The ATT Billing system knows what device serial number you are calling from so the account associated with the Sim card used will be suspended.
ATT Guru.