[PCWorld]

Post your comments for FCC Plans Stolen Phone Database to Discourage Theft here

[arkyump]

Do YOU really want the government to have a database of all cell phones? Come on, hell no!

[Evildave]

This is only something that should have been done years ago. Last time I was in the UK, around 2003, thugs were braining their victims with bricks to take their 'regular' cell phones. We don't need it to get that bad with guns and phones, in the U.S.

Deactivating them in the U.S. is only half of the solution. They have to be universally, internationally deactivated and banned from their 'App Stores', too. Apple, Google, Microsoft, RIM, Amazon, and every other 'App Store' provider there is, has to deactivate the phones, too.

You think there aren't 10,000,000 Chinese lined up for a 'super deal' on a real iPhone? Mexico? Nicaragua? Africa?

Whatever on Earth makes you think they don't have at least the functional equivalent of this database, anyway?

The feds don't technically even need to maintain it. They ask the cell wireless companies about NAME/SSAN, the wireless companies give them a LIST of accounts for the last decade, or longer. They ask the wireless company where you've been for the last several years, minute by minute, they recorded it down to 100 yards or finer precision, and they will give it up to them instantly for a small fee. Who did you call, when did you call? They tell them right away. They just visit a 'web site', peck your info in, and click 'Submit'.

With or without a court order, thanks to the USA PATRIOT act, and supporting legislation over the years.

Having a 'smart' phone is anything but smart. For that matter, carrying any kind of powered up cellular equipment around with you is kind of dumb, if you don't like being spied on.

[Evildave]

Oh, and just because you held the 'off' button, the cartoon and music played, the screen is blank, and the light isn't on, doesn't necessarily mean it's OFF.

[WebsterRC]

Evildave, on 10 April 2012 - 04:56 PM, said:

This is only something that should have been done years ago. Last time I was in the UK, around 2003, thugs were braining their victims with bricks to take their 'regular' cell phones. We don't need it to get that bad with guns and phones, in the U.S.

Deactivating them in the U.S. is only half of the solution. They have to be universally, internationally deactivated and banned from their 'App Stores', too. Apple, Google, Microsoft, RIM, Amazon, and every other 'App Store' provider there is, has to deactivate the phones, too.

You think there aren't 10,000,000 Chinese lined up for a 'super deal' on a real iPhone? Mexico? Nicaragua? Africa?

Whatever on Earth makes you think they don't have at least the functional equivalent of this database, anyway?

The feds don't technically even need to maintain it. They ask the cell wireless companies about NAME/SSAN, the wireless companies give them a LIST of accounts for the last decade, or longer. They ask the wireless company where you've been for the last several years, minute by minute, they recorded it down to 100 yards or finer precision, and they will give it up to them instantly for a small fee. Who did you call, when did you call? They tell them right away. They just visit a 'web site', peck your info in, and click 'Submit'.

With or without a court order, thanks to the USA PATRIOT act, and supporting legislation over the years.

Having a 'smart' phone is anything but smart. For that matter, carrying any kind of powered up cellular equipment around with you is kind of dumb, if you don't like being spied on.

BlackBerry can be wiped and locked down by RIM by nature of the 8 digit pin associated with the phone which only RIM can change no matter what simcard is in the phone.

[JamesEvens]

It's a start. Like Evildave said anything has to be universal and international. Phones already have an EIN which identifies them.
AT&T somehow determined that a SIM card was inserted into a "smart" phone. The tools are already there. Why isn't this happening now?