Many US tech companies won't help find stolen digital devices

[Elmore Furth]

Apparently, US companies who service digital devices will not help a user whose device has been stolen, unlike in foreign contries like Canada and the UK. Pretty rude, dude.

But many tech companies will not disclose information about the new owners of missing devices unless a police officer calls with a search warrant. Even a request to simply shut down service — which would deter thieves by rendering their pilfered gadget useless — is typically refused.

The problem, which nobody had to deal with before smartphones and satellite radios, has reached new heights with the Kindle reader from Amazon, with its ability to download books wirelessly and store hundreds of titles on a single device.

On Web sites devoted to the e-book reader, including Blog Kindle and Amazon’s own Kindle Community board, many customers have been in a snit over Amazon’s policy on stolen Kindles.

In England, for example, the major cellphone players keep a centralized black list for mobile phone serial numbers, allowing consumers to flag lost or stolen phones so they cannot be re-registered.


Gadget Makers Can Find Thief, but Don’t Ask

"Possession is nine tenths of the law but the other half involves a loaded gun."

[druidity33]

1. K&R for visibility... nt.

[ixion]

2. so, let me get this straight:

The government can monitor whatever calls they choose without so much as a by-your-leave; but for a person to try and take control of their own phone -- which they pay a monthly fee to said provider to use -- well, that requires a search warrant.

Does that sound right? Am I clear on that?

:wtf:

[Better Today]

3. Actually this is as it should be.

Could you imagine if just anybody could call up and have a device disabled. Only the police or someone with evidence that a legitimate burglary/robbery/theft report was filed should be able to do that.

BTW, if you want that type of protection, at least for laptops, there are half a dozen companies offering private, affordable "lo-jack" solutions that will find and disable your laptop if it is stolen.