In the UK criminals are still able to use the anonymity of prepaid mobile phones to commit crimes. County Lines drug dealing, for example, uses anonymous prepaid accounts to run their drug dealing networks bringing misery to thousands of rural communities. Police are able to get a Drug Dealing Telecommunication Restriction Order (DDTRO) to shut down a drug dealing line, but criminals are able to simply buy another prepaid SIM and the whole thing cycles round again. It’s frustrating for police and a giant waste of money and effort.
In the UK, we’re wary of giving the government too many powers that could be abused. Why should a citizen have to prove their identity to use a mobile phone? But the real harm being caused by County Lines is so severe that something has to be done to make it harder for criminals. Retailers joined up to rid us of the scourge of disposable plastic bags, so is it really beyond the wit of the UK mobile industry to do the same by voluntarily introducing ID verification for prepaid phones?
I’m challenging the UK’s mobile operators and MVNOs to stop the problems associated with anonymous prepaid phones, which are used for a wide range of organised serious crime, including drug dealing that exploits children. Yes, I’m calling the UK mobile industry out. Either we work together to stop playing a part in crime or we carry on facilitating crime. But don’t try virtue signalling if you allow unverified mobiles access to your network. You’re part of the problem, not part of the solution.
What can you do? If you’re the CEO of a UK mobile operator or MVNO please declare your stance. Either you will no longer facilitate crime by providing anonymous prepaid SIMs or you will continue to benefit from the revenues criminals are providing to you. If you think you’ve got an argument as to why criminals should have unrestricted access to your network, do tell me what it is.
If you own a UK mobile and want your operator to stop facilitating crime, please tweet them or comment here. If enough of us demand this stops now, then maybe the UK industry will listen. Remember, postpaid customers are already ID verified. This is just about bringing parity and closing a loophole that criminals are currently exploiting. In fact, 147 other countries already require registration of prepaid mobiles. It’s time the UK industry acted more responsibly and joined them.