FCC Consumer Advisory Committee Recommendation Regarding stolen Mobile Devices Wireless device theft -- and particularly smartphone theft -- is a pervasive and devastating crime affecting millions of American consumers. In response to the problem, industry, law enforcement and government have been working on collaborative initiatives, such as the GSMA IMEI database, smartphone anti-theft tools, and software based “kill switches,” to curtail the problem. We strongly support these initiatives. The Consumer Advisory Committee applauds the FCC for its efforts in working to educate consumers about device theft and its recent workshop that convened stakeholders from Congress, federal regulatory agencies, law enforcement, software developers, wireless carriers and device manufacturers to examine the problem. We are encouraged by the formation of the Mobile Device Theft Prevention Working Group and its goal of examining “multilayered” solutions to mobile device theft. The Consumer Advisory Committee recommends that the Federal Communications Commission further address the significant problem of smartphone theft by: 1. refreshing its consumer education materials with regard to stolen smartphones to educate consumers about new technologies and best practices in mobile device security; 2. coordinating carefully planned and funded Public Service Announcement campaigns aimed at educating consumers on this issue in conjunction with DOJ and local law enforcement agencies; 3. encouraging local law enforcement agencies to make greater use of existing tools, such as the GSMA IMEI database; 4. carefully considering recommendations from the Mobile Device Theft Prevention Working Group of the TAC and adopting policies as appropriate based on those recommendations; 5. studying the scope of the overseas market for stolen mobile devices and encouraging additional foreign carrier participation in the GSMA IMEI database; 6. collecting and publicly reporting quantifiable national crime data regarding smartphone theft from DOJ and law enforcement; and 7. working with the GSMA to determine whether relevant trends on lost and stolen mobile devices can be culled from the IMEI database over time. Unanimously Adopted: July 25, 2014 Respectfully submitted: Debra R. Berlyn, Chairperson FCC Consumer Advisory Committee