Sign in Subscribe
Telecommunications industry

Apple Accused of Undermining Efforts to Tackle Phone Theft Epidemic in Britain

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Mobile phone theft has reached "unprecedented" levels in Britain, with gangs snatching devices from unsuspecting people in the street, including from phone shops. Mobile network operators, represented by Mobile UK, have accused Apple of refusing to implement a global block on stolen devices, despite deploying programmes such as Automated Device Enrolment (ADE) in its own retail stores. This lack of co-operation is seen as undermining efforts to tackle the issue, leading to increased operational costs and damage to reputation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mobile UK, representing EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2, has written to the Home Secretary expressing concerns over Apple's refusal to implement a global block on stolen devices, hindering efforts to tackle phone thefts.
  • Apple has deployed programmes such as Automated Device Enrolment (ADE) in its own retail stores, but has not shared the same capabilities with mobile network operators.
  • The iPhone maker has shared the programmes with retail partners for free, but has not extended this cooperation to mobile network operators.
  • Britain has suffered a surge in phone thefts in recent years, with nearly two in every five phones stolen in Europe taken in the UK, according to data from insurance company SquareTrade.
  • Mobile network operators are seeking urgent help from the Government to address the issue, citing increased operational costs and damage to reputation.
  • A Home Office spokesman has stated that the department is introducing laws to allow police to search properties where electronic devices have been geolocated without a warrant.

Statistics:

  • According to data from insurance company SquareTrade, nearly two in every five phones stolen in Europe are taken in the UK.
  • Mobile network operators have expressed concerns over the "unprecedented" levels of phone theft in Britain, which are eroding employee and customer confidence and increasing operational costs.

Sources:

  • Maeve McClenaghan, The Guardian, "UK mobile network operators ask government to help tackle phone thefts"
  • Hamish MacLeod, Mobile UK, letter to the Home Secretary
  • Apple, press statement regarding Automated Device Enrolment (ADE)
  • SquareTrade, data on phone thefts in Europe
  • Home Office, press statement regarding new laws to combat phone thefts

Read more