Should 'burner' Phones Be Banned?

[sp1814]

This story relates to the U.S., but do you think this should apply to to the UK?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/burner-phones-could-be-made-illegal-under-law-that-would-require-personal-details-of-anyone-buying-a-a6955396.html

[Hypognosis]

I thought 'burner' was just a figure of speech. You mean they actually incinerate them, spreading Cadmium all over the place?

Actually, the thing I really hate is the film/TV trope whereby the hoodlum throws their disposablt phone into the river, potentially poisoning all the fish downstream.

Im answer to your question: No, I don't think they should be banned but there should be more rigour in getting those personal details handed over at the counter. Change it so that the phone is posted or hand-delivered to the address provided (not a P.O. Box; checked against databased to ensure it is not a 'business' address; checked to ensure no more than 2 purchases per address in any 5-year window, pending further explanation). Any measure which would not be obstructive to 'normal' consumers but highly inconvenient to those with criminal intent.

[ivor4781]

what about all the car boot sales ya can pick up as many mobes as ya like no questions asked there

[TheChair]

I understood that it was already necessary in the UK to provide identity details when buying a PAYG SIM (with or without a phone). If I'm right, then burner phones are already banned in the UK.

[TheChair]

ivor4781, it doesn't matter how many phones you can buy anonymously at a car boot, you still need to put SIMs in them, and you need to provide ID when purchasing a SIM.

[ToraToraTora]

Possibly but banning wont make any difference, they can be picked up in loads of places as long as the buyer has the bangers n mash.

Sp you seem to have forgotten about your false "yoga" thread.

[Old_Geezer]

Never heard of the expression before as far as I can recall. Poor article that forces one to deduce/assume what it means. If false ID is available I can't see how such an additional level of admin will achieve much.

[ivor4781]

the chair no you dont i picked one up in a pound shop for £1 (three network) make one call then buy vouchers at any top up store no id needed

[jourdain2]

What is a 'burner' phone?

[Old_Geezer]

It seems to be one that can be dumped after the number has been used for dodgy dealings and thus a risk to being caught. Seems a strange thing to call it.

[jourdain2]

Thank you O_G. :)

[jourdain2]

Just thought - if it means the sort of phone you can pick up in Tesco's for about £12, then that is the phone I and OH use. It makes and receives phone calls - all we need to do.

[douglas9401]

I'm sure I'd get fed up constantly giving over all my personal info if I wanted a pay as you go SIM.
Luckily it doesn't and won't happen.

[jomifl]

The world is awash with PAYG sims all that will happen is that they will have some value.

[tonyav]

jourdain2
What is a 'burner' phone?


The favourite of drug dealers, they always see to have at least two or three on the go.

[jourdain2]

Ta, Tonyav. Drug-dealers used to use tiny .22 pistols (in Bradford anyway) easily mistaken for toys. Hope no-one bans our simple phones, though. :)

[Hypognosis]

Prior the mobiles, you needed a pile of bricks and mortar, just to have the privilege of being allowed to have a phone number. There was still crime, of course but technology was slow to catch up and provide wiretapping and call-tracing.

Anyway, it occurs to me that rationing the availability of new numbers and making users queue for a few weeks for new number issues (kept proportionate to population increase but no more than that) and transfers to new handsets could cramp the style of the use and chuck brigade.

Punishing the many, for the criminality of the few, is not a good solution but it is *a* solution.

[ummmm]

There was loads of phone boxes back then.

[Noe-schitt]

There will be no need for extra legislation this will all come in the Investigatory Powers Bill under the duty of telecommunications providers to assist with implementation of warrants which will mean they will have to know Who, What, When, Where, Why