§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he will bring forward to compel mobile telephony companies to track stolen handsets. [28950]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 21 January 2002]: The Government are pressing the mobile phone industry to take a whole range of measures to enhance the security of their product and prevent their customers from becoming the victims of crime. The United Kingdom operators are already working with the police on exercises to track stolen phones. They have agreed some early measures to test ways of putting stolen phones out of action, including a text-bombing initiative. They have also agreed to improve security as investment takes place in new systems. We are seeking a similar commitment from mobile phone manufacturers. We will continue to press the industry for their co-operation in tackling mobile phone theft, by enhancing security features and practices for both the current and third generation mobile phones.
It is already the case that communications data, including location data, may be supplied voluntarily for specified purposes (eg investigation of crime) under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Telecommunications Act 1984. It may additionally be supplied in obedience to court orders. A more tightly controlled regulatory regime will be provided for under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 RIPA.