Does anyone here have reference to similar laws in Switzerland?
In the UK it is illegal to own any equipment that can be used to change the IMEI number of a phone and the penalties for breaching this are harsh and without need for criminal intent.
You would be committing fraud. Swiss networks only allow registered IMEI numbers on the network, so you would have to spoof or steal somebody elses.
They rely on Foreign providers to ensure the same checks, but you could get away with a spoofed IEMI I suppose.
The current fraud laws will deal with intent and purpose. Fraud will pretty much cover any underhand purpose. What is your intent/purpose ?
Do you have any reference to the Swiss laws? I want to check to see exactly is allowed or not allowed.
Sorry, what's IMEI?
Found something that might be relevant, but quite a lot to wade through...
The current laws covering fraud and mis-representation. They were probably here before mobile phones. If you explain your purpose, I can cast a better light on the law you want to break
I just feel like changing the IMEI number of my phone.
Sure.
PM me for discrete advice and I promise not to tell anyone.
For reference, the UK legislation is as follows:
http://legislation.data.gov.uk/ukpga....htm?wrap=true
I stand corrected, it seems that possession itself is not unlawful, but re-programming is.
The idea of the IMEI is that it identifies a handset - no matter what sim card you plug in. This is very good thing as a phone can therefore be locked nearly globally when you report it stolen. This makes mobile phone theft much more difficult. There is no legitimate case to change the IMEI, so the tool to do so can in my eyes be regulated - just as lock picks are. If you are a professional lock and key service, you are of course allowed to have them - otherwise you are most likely a thief. If you are a professional refurbishing phones, you might need the equipment to reprogram mobiles, otherwise you are most likely a thief...
Steady on !
Ok, I'll bloody well look it up myself then
International Mobile Equipment Identity
Now, where do I rep/thank myself
Then why not simply make re-programming stolen phones illegal? Some people who have jailbroken there phones have unwittingly blanked their IMEI - should they be charged with the same severity as someone who re-programs stolen mobile phones?
Should they be prosecuted with possessing the jail-breaking tool with an intent to re-program it (whether or not they knew they might reset the IMEI)?
Actually, possessing lock picks is not illegal in most countries in the EU. The UK is a notable exception in this regard:
Going Equipped
1) Source: Theft Act 1968 Section 25(1)
Offence: It is an offence for a person, when not at his place of abode, to have with him any article for use in the course of or in connection with any burglary, theft or cheat.
Powers: Any person may arrest without warrant anyone who is or whom he, with reasonable cause, suspects to be, committing an offence under this section. Section 25(4)
I don't think restoring a blanked IMEI is the same as re-programming a new one.
'fess up - you bricked your new Samsung didn't you...???
Lucky for you, that you're not a lawyer!
Do you ? I think the act covers changing the IMEI for a specific purpose, and using a new IMEI.
Restoring an IMEI does not change anything, so nothing is being re-programmed.
Yes, I think you'll commit two offences, changing the IMEI once to zero, then again when you change it back.
A person commits an offence if— (a)he changes a unique device identifier, or ...
Seems pretty clear to me.
Did you change it to zero by re-programming ?
Maybe not, I doubt even there were readable codes at that memory location if it was corrupted by unlocking.
Again, intent is key here. Trying to restore an IMEI is not the same as trying to change it to something else.
Because thieves don't care if you make it illegal, do they? That's why they steal things in the first place. If you outlaw the equipment, you can catch them much easier.