Introduce Licensing for Mobile Phones to Prevent Scams and Protect Consumers
Introduce a licensing system for all mobile phones in the UK, including contract and pay-as-you-go devices. Require phones to be verified and linked to an account holder, ensuring they are genuine, secure, and preventing counterfeit phones from being used to steal users’ personal data.
Signatures
26
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 26/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 26/100,000
- 27 AUG 2025Petition closedFinal total: 26 signatures
- 27 FEB 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
Counterfeit mobile phones are being sold as genuine on social media, online marketplaces, and second-hand websites. Once connected to the home internet, these devices can steal personal data and passwords without the buyer’s knowledge, similar to a Trojan Horse virus that copies the user's keyboard input unbeknown to the buyer. We think a licensing system would verify devices and link them to account holders, protecting consumers, reducing cybercrime, and enhancing mobile security in today's tech world.