Lawmakers have accused Apple and Google of benefiting from millions of pounds linked to mobile phone theft operations that police claim are orchestrated by organized crime networks in the UK, Algeria, and China.
In London alone, 80,000 mobile devices were stolen in 2024, marking a significant increase from 64,000 in 2023—an uptick of a quarter. The total street value of these devices is estimated to be around £20 million, with iPhones constituting the majority of the thefts.
During a session of the House of Representatives’ Science and Technology Committee on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police indicated that smartphone manufacturers should actively work to diminish the resale value of stolen devices. They noted that companies are starting to prevent stolen phones from accessing cloud services, which could help in this regard.
However, despite calls for action since 2023, the companies have yet to respond positively, commented Darren Scates, the Metropolitan Police’s chief officer for digital data and technology.
“We’ve observed significant community impact,” remarked Martin Wrigley, a liberal Democrat on the committee. “[The companies] should implement this immediately, without excuses.”
When questioned about their inaction, representatives from the companies highlighted existing security features aimed at protecting customer data.
Simon Wingrove, Google’s software engineering manager, asserted that their system is “robust and highly effective.”
Gary Davis, Apple’s senior director of regulatory affairs, acknowledged that account disconnection due to fraud poses a challenge, as it can delete accounts that unauthorized users wish to regain access to.
Kit Malthouse, a Conservative former police minister, suggested that Apple has a strong commercial incentive to maintain the status quo, stating that the £50 million loss from stolen phones in London each year favors their business model.
He also proposed that Apple may be profiting from providing services to a vast number of users who own stolen mobile phones worldwide.
In response, Davis asserted: “We do not profit from this situation. We must reject the notion that users can somehow gain from the distress of having their phones stolen. We have invested hundreds of millions to ensure user protections.”
The Metropolitan Police reported a 15% decline in all types of thefts during April and May, with roughly two-thirds of mobile phone thefts decreasing. Commander James Conway cautioned that this is a “tentative reduction,” attributing it to enhanced police focus on mobile theft and user safety. Scotland Yard recently acquired a fleet of high-speed electric bikes to pursue thieves more effectively.
Conway noted that theft and robbery are “easy crimes to commit” in London, citing how young adults can use high-powered e-bikes to swiftly package stolen phones in silver foil or Faraday bags to evade detection, then transfer them to mid-market resellers.
The majority of stolen phones are high-end Apple models, with police estimating that such devices are sold on the streets for between £300 and £400. The trade is driven by the relatively high costs of phone usage in low-income regions. Over 90% of stolen mobile phones are reused, while the remainder is dismantled for parts, with screens being particularly valuable.
The hearing began as Malthouse witnessed an attempted phone theft by two masked individuals on a bike while en route to Congress on Tuesday morning.
Source: www.theguardian.com
