In the year to March 2024, an estimated 78,000 Brits had their phones stolen on the streets – that’s a rise of over 150% compared to the previous 12 months. Authorities attribute this surge to growing demand for second-hand smartphones, both domestically and internationally. The UK government has called for the industry to come up with a technology solution. However, technology by itself might not be able to address the root cause.

Worldwide problem

This trend of increasing smartphone thefts isn't unique to the UK – it is global. The average price of a smartphone has been increasing in recent years. For example, according to Statista, the average global selling price of an Android smartphone rose from $236 in 2017 to $286 in 2023, a 17% rise. Meanwhile, the entry-level iPhone 16, launched in September 2024, costs around $800. The increasing importance of smartphones in daily life, rising phone prices, and challenging economic conditions that have stretched affordability globally.

Despite the importance of smartphones, for many, cheaper second-hand devices are the only option. Law abiding consumers are ending up buying stolen goods without knowing it. Stolen devices are now big business, and they appear in legitimate shops and online, nationally and internationally.

UK Government Response: Tech is the way out

As part of its strategy to combat the illegal trade of stolen phones, the UK government is calling smartphone manufacturers to a Home Office summit to discuss measures to curb the sale of stolen devices. Manufacturers will be urged to ensure stolen phones can be quickly and permanently disabled, preventing resale on the second-hand market. The government will also build on existing anti-theft features. Additionally, police chiefs will be tasked with gathering intelligence on the individuals and networks behind these crimes, particularly where these stolen phones ultimately end up. This effort will include Operation Opal, which seeks to better understand the black market for mobile phones.

Smartphone Protection Features

It's important to note that smartphones already come equipped with several anti-theft features to protect devices in the event of loss or theft:

• Device Protection: "Find My Device" allows users to remotely locate, lock, or erase their phone, automatically activating when a Google account is linked to the device.
• Keypad Lock: Prevents thieves from immediately accessing the phone.
• Biometric Authentication: Features like fingerprint or facial recognition add extra security.
• Anti-Theft Apps: These apps can assist law enforcement in tracking stolen phones and identifying the thief.
• Kill Switch: This feature blocks unauthorised access by requiring credentials before the phone can be reactivated.

 

However, criminals have developed ways to circumvent some of these protections. For example, by snatching a phone while it is in use and quickly activating the camera and then switching to airplane mode, thieves can prevent remote tracking or erasure. This makes stealing an ‘active phone’ much more appealing to them. While users can take precautions, the immersive nature of smartphone use makes this a challenge. Some suggest avoiding phone use in public, which may increase security but presents a difficult trade-off for many.

Technology might provide new ways to protect, but criminals are also fighting back.

Is recycling a potential solution?

The smartphone industry could also help address the problem of theft by promoting recycling. Cheaper smartphone options are one potential solution, but recycling presents an even greater opportunity. In 2022, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum estimated that 5.3 billion mobile phones were discarded globally. Many people hold onto old phones rather than recycling them—often because they don’t know what to do with them—but working phones could be resold in the second-hand market. Even outdated devices contain valuable materials, such as copper and cobalt, which could be reclaimed to help reduce the cost of new phones.

Services such as Pandas allow for mobile phone companies and device vendors to set up automated buy-back services for retail and online services. There are multiple options in the market to allow all players to support a much easier and stronger recycling solution. The production of a smartphone can emit between 30–60 kg of CO2 according to the industry but by supporting re-use and refurbishment, the industry would reduce crime by decreasing demand for cheaper stolen goods, while at the same time improving its own environmental sustainability across the industry as a whole. This is a win-win for people and the planet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dario Betti is CEO of MEF (Mobile Ecosystem Forum) a global trade body established in 2000 and headquartered in the UK with members across the world. As the voice of the mobile ecosystem, it focuses on cross-industry best practices, anti-fraud and monetisation. The Forum provides its members with global and cross-sector platforms for networking, collaboration and advancing industry solutions. 

https://mobileecosystemforum.com/