Latin American Mobile Operators Commit to Combat Mobile Device Theft

Latin American Mobile Operators Commit to Combat Mobile Device Theft PR Newswire LONDON, July 17, 2012 - Thirteen Latin American mobile operator groups pledge to work together across the region to block the use of stolen devices LONDON, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today GSMA Latin America announced the commitment of the main mobile network operators (MNOs) in Latin America to collaborate with the regional governments in initiatives designed to reduce mobile phone theft and related crime. This voluntary initiative of GSM MNOs will allow the sharing of stolen mobile device information in order to block stolen devices and make their trafficking and reuse across the region more difficult. At a meeting of the Chief Regulatory Officers Group for Latin America (CROG Latin America), public affairs representatives of the regional MNOs agreed on the steps to start exchanging stolen handset information via the GSMA's IMEI Database. The agreement implies the information shared between MNOs be used to identify devices reported as stolen from users to ensure they are recognised and eventually blocked subject to local regulations. Javier Delgado, Chair of the CROG Latin America, highlighted that: "This joint effort by all regional operators to be part of this initiative will help regulators in our countries to face and address this scourge.