Recently, UK Members of Parliament and the Metropolitan Police accused Apple and Google of profiting from stolen smartphones and failing to prevent thefts. Smartphone theft in London increased by 25% from 2023 to 2024, with 80,000 phones stolen in London alone in 2024. The black market trade of stolen devices generates up to £50 million annually, funding organized crime in the UK.
The Metropolitan Police suggested blocking stolen smartphones from accessing Apple and Google’s cloud storage by using the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. However, Apple’s Gary Davis raised concerns about potential fraud risks associated with IMEI blocking.
Despite having protective measures like Apple’s Find My and Android’s Find My Device apps, Apple and Google were criticized for profiting from thefts. Apple’s Activation Lock prevents stolen iPhones from being reactivated, rendering IMEI blocking irrelevant for Apple devices.
Google’s Simon Westgrove emphasized the need for industry cooperation for IMEI blocking. The Metropolitan Police currently rely on fast e-bikes to catch smartphone thieves, particularly targeting iPhone thefts in London.
There are commercial incentives for Apple and Google to resist implementing IMEI blocking as requested by authorities. The debate continues on the effectiveness and feasibility of using IMEI numbers to restrict services on stolen phones.
