How mobile companies can prevent phone theft in Zim

By Jacob Mutisi | Sep. 13, 2024

MOBILE phone theft has become an alarming issue in Zimbabwe, impacting not only individuals but also businesses and policing

agencies. With the widespread adoption of smartphones and their increasing value, they have become prime targets for our national criminals.

As Zimbabwe navigates these challenges, both mobile manufacturers and network providers play pivotal roles in mitigating theft, ensuring security and safeguarding consumers.

The rising theft rates have exposed the need for comprehensive measures from stakeholders. Mobile manufacturing companies and mobile network providers possess the technological capacity and infrastructure to significantly reduce phone theft incidents.

By leveraging on existing tools and adopting new strategies, they can help curb this menace.

I will explore actionable steps that mobile manufacturers and networks can take to prevent phone theft in our nation, including utilising advanced technologies, fostering collaboration and promoting user education.

Zimbabwe, like many countries in Africa, faces a growing challenge in phone theft. Smartphones, being expensive and widely desired, are easy targets for criminals.

Stolen phones are often sold in black markets within the country and even across borders, making recovery difficult.

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Phone theft not only leaves victims in financial distress but also compromises their personal information, leading to identity theft and fraud. The lack of centralised theft reporting systems in the country, combined with inefficient law enforcement response, further aggravates the situation.

Mobile manufacturers are at the forefront of innovation and technology. They have the ability to design devices and software systems that can reduce the incentive for phone theft.

IMEI registration and blacklisting

One of the key steps mobile manufacturers can take is to ensure that each mobile phone is associated with a unique IMEI (International

Mobile Equipment Identity) number. This number acts as the phone's unique fingerprint and can be used to track and disable stolen phones.

Manufacturers can collaborate with mobile networks to create a national and even regional IMEI blacklist database. When a phone is reported stolen, the IMEI number can be added to the blacklist, rendering the device useless across all networks. A robust blacklisting system can deter criminals from stealing phones, as the resale value will drop significantly.

Pre-installed anti-theft software

Manufacturers should integrate pre-installed anti-theft applications into all smartphones. These apps allow users to remotely track, lock, or wipe their devices in the event of theft. Popular global solutions like Apple's "Find My iPhone" or Google's "Find My Device" offers such features, but local alternatives can be developed to suit Zimbabwe’s specific context.

Additionally, manufacturers could enhance features like geo-fencing, which limits a device's usability outside designated regions. This would prevent the use of a stolen phone once it leaves Zimbabwe, reducing cross-border smuggling of stolen devices.

Biometric authentication, encryption

Biometric security features such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, and iris scanning are becoming standard in modern smartphones. These features make it significantly harder for thieves to access stolen devices. Manufacturers can continue to improve and expand these technologies, ensuring that they remain reliable even when devices are tampered with.

Moreover, end-to-end encryption and secure boot systems can prevent thieves from bypassing security measures, such as by reinstalling operating systems or factory resetting phones.

Apart from the mobile manufacturer, mobile networks in Zimbabwe are pivotal in tracking stolen phones, as they control the SIM cards and network connectivity. By enhancing their technology and policies, network providers can play a vital role in curbing phone theft.

Centralised IMEI blacklist

Collaboration between network providers to create a centralised IMEI blacklist is essential. When a phone is reported stolen, the network should immediately block the device from accessing its services. If all networks participate, it becomes impossible for a thief to reactivate the stolen phone with a different provider.

Additionally, network providers can extend their IMEI blacklist to neighbouring countries, such as South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique, to prevent stolen phones from being sold across borders. This regional cooperation would significantly

diminish the market for stolen phones.

Real-time SIM tracking

Mobile networks have the capacity to track SIM cards in real-time, allowing them to identify when a new SIM is inserted into a stolen phone. They can use this information to alert authorities and the phone's original owner.

Networks should implement a real-time alert system that notifies users whenever an unregistered SIM card is activated in their device.

This quick response could aid the police force in apprehending phone thieves and recovering stolen devices before they are sold.

Mobile device insurance

Mobile networks can partner with insurance companies to offer mobile phone theft insurance plans to their subscribers. These plans would ensure that victims are compensated for stolen devices, incentivising users to report thefts and block stolen phones immediately.

In addition, insurance plans could be bundled with network subscriptions, encouraging wider adoption of these services and allowing for quicker recovery efforts.

While mobile manufacturers and network providers have distinct roles, collaboration between the two is crucial for the success of anti-theft measures.

Synchronisation of IMEI and SIM data

Manufacturers and networks should work together to develop systems that synchronise the phone's IMEI with the user's SIM card.

This would mean that if the phone is stolen and a different SIM is inserted, the phone would immediately deactivate or be restricted to emergency calls only. This synchronisation could also extend to regional or international databases, making it harder for thieves to sell stolen phones in other countries.

Data sharing with law enforcement

Effective collaboration between manufacturers, network providers and law enforcement agencies is key to reducing phone theft. By sharing data such as IMEI numbers and SIM card information, authorities can quickly track down stolen devices and prosecute offenders.

Training programs for the Zimbabwe Republic Police on how to use IMEI and SIM tracking data can also improve the recovery rate of stolen phones and serve as a deterrent to thieves. While technological solutions are crucial, raising public awareness about phone theft prevention is equally important. Many phone users in Zimbabwe are unaware of the security features available to them or how to report phone theft.

Mobile manufacturers and network providers should launch public service campaigns that educate users on how to protect their devices, enable anti-theft features, and report stolen phones. These campaigns could include TV advertisements, social media initiatives, and in-store workshops.

Encouraging consumers to adopt secure practices, such as setting up two-factor authentication, regularly updating their devices and using PIN codes or biometric security, can reduce the risk of phone theft. By working together with the government, local businesses and NGOs, mobile companies can create a more security-conscious society.

As Zimbabwe faces a growing phone theft crisis, mobile manufacturing companies and network providers must take decisive action to protect their customers.

Through the implementation of advanced technologies such as IMEI blacklisting, biometric security, and real-time SIM tracking, coupled with consumer education and law enforcement collaboration, the industry can significantly reduce phone theft.

The collaboration between manufacturers and networks, supported by local government policies and international partnerships, will ultimately shape a safer, more secure mobile environment in Zimbabwe and beyond. Preventing phone theft not only protects individual consumers but also strengthens trust in the mobile industry, fostering further growth and innovation.

Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi

Mutisi is the CEO of Hansole Investments (Pvt) Ltd. He is the current chairperson of Zimbabwe Information & Communication Technology, a division of Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers. — +263772 278 161 or chair@zict.org.zw