In a growing confrontation over the escalating issue of mobile phone thefts, major tech giants Apple and Google are facing increasing pressure from UK law enforcement and Members of Parliament (MPs) to implement more robust anti-theft measures. The Metropolitan Police have reported a significant surge in phone-related crimes, with over 90,000 phones stolen in London alone in 2022, equating to nearly 250 devices per day.
The rise in thefts has been attributed to the high resale value of smartphones, both domestically and internationally. Organized crime groups have exploited this market, leading to a £50 million-a-year trade in stolen devices. In response, the Home Secretary has convened a summit with tech companies to discuss solutions, urging them to collaborate with law enforcement to make stolen phones effectively useless to criminals.
Despite existing security features like Activation Lock and IMEI blocking, authorities argue that these measures are insufficient. They are calling for enhanced collaboration between tech firms and police to develop more effective solutions. The government is also considering legislation to compel tech companies to take more responsibility in combating phone theft.
As the debate intensifies, the question remains: will Apple and Google take more decisive action to curb the rampant thefts, or will they continue to face mounting pressure from UK authorities and MPs?
