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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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17

Firms Refuse to Cut Service to Stolen Kindles, iPhones

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

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(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.

IPhone service provider AT&T is little help in tracking downcell phone thieves, or cutting off service to the crooks, say victims.
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.
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.
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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17 comments
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Ucantusethatname
Sep 7, 09 9:01 AM CDT
Greedy companies that refuse to shut off service to stolen devices should be sued and fined. Please wake up the attorney general. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+11
IN RESPONSE:
UrUndertaker
Sep 7, 09 2:10 PM CDT
Ucant......Your hypocrisy is showing, this is true Capitalism at its best and yet one who bears the flag of Capitalism should not reject this but embrace it for in truth it stands for all that you represent, true profit for the company at any cost, the Republican way!!!. Make up your mind hypocrite
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
nick
Sep 7, 09 3:09 PM CDT
Ucantusethatname: I realize that Republicans want it both ways, but what happened to the personal responsibility argument you guys start and end each argument with?
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0
IN RESPONSE:
BlueAyez
Sep 8, 09 6:44 AM CDT
Sounds like a good class action suit -- say aiding and abetting? accessory after the fact? guilt by association?
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
bewilderbeast
Oct 7, 09 5:52 AM CDT
As long as it pays corporates for you to have your phone stolen, we'll never reduce this crime. They WANT you to lose your phone, buy another, and they get the revenue from both your old AND new phones. Hey, that's business! Thieves.
Vote up! Vote down!
0

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