Reprogramming a mobile phone will be an offence in the UK

The Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Bill backs moves by mobile phone operators to bar stolen phones from their networks. It contains proposals that would create new offences of:

• Changing the unique identifying characteristic of a mobile phone – the IMEI number without written permission from the manufacturer; and
• Owning or supplying the necessary equipment with the intent to use it for re-programming mobile phones.

Government figures suggest that stolen mobiles are now involved in 50% of all robberies in London. Home Office Minister John Denham said:

“Mobile phone operators will soon have the necessary systems in place to enable them to bar stolen phones across all networks – putting them out of use. But if the unique ID, or IMEI, number is changed on a stolen phone, it could continue to be used. This Bill would mean those seeking to change the IMEI on a phone could face five years in prison. It makes re-programming stolen phones a crime in its own right and backs up police efforts to tackle handling of stolen goods.

“There is no legitimate reason to re-program a mobile phone. Those doing so run the risk of heavy penalties – penalties they deserve because they are fuelling violent street crime.”

An IMEI number is a unique 15-digit serial number for each mobile phone. It can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones, or by looking behind the battery of the phone.