Should You Have To Register a Prepaid Cell Phone?

Should You Have to Show ID to Purchase a Prepaid Cell Phone?

May 27, 2010

A new proposal in Washington would require customers to show a form of ID before purchasing a prepaid cell phone. The bill is aimed at stopping terror suspects like the one in the recent Times Square bombing plot (or, you know, every suspect ever on Law & Order). If passed, the law would also require companies to keep the information on file for 18 months after deactivation, similar to traditional contract-based calling plans.

On one hand, I support the measure if it's an issue of safety, on the other, isn't this why prepaid phones exist? For anonymity? Civil liberties advocates agree, saying that there needs to be a place in society for anonymous forms of communication. What do you think?

8 Comments

2 years 51 weeks

This proposed law would not stop a determined terrorist. It will create another government database that would be a target for malicious hackers. It's not just criminals, cheating spouses or political dissidents that want anonymity. I use prepaid phones to avoid the invasive requests for personal information needed for contract phones. I'm not a cheating spouse, criminal, etc. @megank1991 You're correct that people don't have a "right" to a cell phone. But the government has no right to demand people give up their privacy for some "feel-good" law that won't stop terrorism.

2 years 51 weeks

Like others have pointed out, the appearance of freedom is all you're really getting with showing no ID on a prepaid phone. Are you telling us that everyone who's concerned about giving ID to keep their prepaid phones doesn't use a bank or credit card? Its the way it works in most other countries (that I've been to). If the choice came down to me keeping the freedom of no contract and saving money with my Net10 phone, versus keeping a flimsy feeling of anonymity, I'll give them any ID they want. Prepaid phones like Net10 and others give the consumer back the right to choose and change based on price and services. Imagine buying a car and having to pay the dealer money if you wanted to sell it or change before a certain time they choose, its ludicrous.

LKopel 2 years 52 weeks

Absolutely NOT! We are already over tracked in this society. If they didn't use a prepaid phone, it would be Skype or some other VOIP. I have prepaid phones and I use a Google Voice number. Yes, I am still leaving a trail, but I control the trail of my information. I can purge that prepaid cell from my GV profile if I choose. And, it's how I choose to spend my money - many people look down on prepaid phone users. I simply choose to spend my money wisely for my situation. I am not a criminal for using a prepaid phone and I shouldn't have to disclose anything just because I don't want a 2 year contract and hefty monthly bills and want to pay cash!

hex913 2 years 52 weeks

I have known several people who've had their bank card numbers stolen (including myself), and every time the criminal was purchasing one of these pre-paid phones. If they'd have had to show ID, they couldn't have gotten away with it.

2 years 52 weeks

I think that anonymous phones should be allowed. I know one probably saved my son. After my husband died my former in-laws were threatening me and my son. They wanted my husband's life insurance policy and they threatened to take my son to do it. My attorney basically told me to hide until the courts could help me. I had to move in secret, get an anonymous cell phone, have my mail forwarded to my attorney's office, who would then forward it under a false name to where I really was. It was absolutely terrifying. And if I had to have shown an I.D. to get a phone, my in-laws could have very easily found me and my son. Luckily it only took a few weeks to see them off to jail, but I still have to hide from the rest of the family from revenge. This may be rare, but if it happened to me it could very well happen to someone else.

socalbeachgal 2 years 52 weeks

I'm torn on this one, I can see the need to know who purchased a phone; on the other hand I don't think anyone's civil liberties should be taken away from them, including the right to privacy if one chooses.

2 years 52 weeks

Totally agree with @megank1991 I also think that having to show ID doesn't necessarily take away your anonymity. Having it recorded and kept on file by whoever you purchase it from doesn't necessarily mean that your name is out there for all to see - it can still just show the number and not the name on the caller ID for example, so that your "communication" can still be conducted anonymously. Then, if there is a problem, it's a simple matter to call the phone company and ask who purchased the phone. That's totally different than having your name on an AT&T contract (like mine, for example) and having my name show up on the Caller ID of every person I call. I'd much rather be safe than sorry.

megank1991 2 years 52 weeks

People think that far too many things are "rights". You don't have a right to have a cell phone, it's a privilege based on if you can afford to own one or not. People who want to be anonymous almost always want to be because they seek to do harm.

Link Love

8 Comments

You Might Also Like