Firms Refuse to Cut Service to Stolen Kindles, iPhones

Product producers often know who stole a device, but won't say

By Mat Probasco, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 7, 2009 8:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – Digital gadget manufacturers may know who stole your cell phone, satellite radio or ebook reader, because they're often registered and used by the thief. But good luck getting tech companies to share that information, or even to shut off service to the device, reports the New York Times. Angry consumers believe companies would rather continue making money with the new criminal-owners than turn them in.

Amazon can easily block a stolen Kindle from downloading books, for example, but will only do so if contacted by a police officer with a subpoena. “I concluded that Amazon knew the device was being used and preferred to sell content to anyone who possessed the device, rather than assist in returning it to its rightful owner," said one victim who lost his Kindle to a thief. Amazon is hardly alone. Sirius XM Radio and iPhone distributor AT&T have similar policies.

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IPhone service provider AT&T is little help in tracking downcell phone thieves, or cutting off service to the crooks, say victims. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Amazon will only cut off service to a stolen Kindle if they're contacted by police with a subpoena. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

Jeff Bezos, chairman and CEO of Amazon.com, unveils the Kindle 2 electronic reader in New York earlier this year. Theft victims say Amazon is happy to keep selling content to new crook-owners. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

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“I still don’t understand why they couldn’t just notify the police department and tell them who has my radio. There’s a whole police report about this break-in. They can’t call and say, ‘So and so just registered that radio?' - Theft victim Dolly Richards

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Firms Refuse to Cut Service to Stolen Kindles, iPhones