After a petition on whitehouse.gov to legalize cell phone unlocking reached 114,000 signatures (100,000 signatures are required for a response), the White House issued an official response today. The petition was started after a decision by copyright regulators made it illegal after January 26, 2013 to unlock your cell phone and use it on a different network even after your contract expires. From the official statement:
“The White House agrees with the 114,000+ of you who believe that consumers should be able to unlock their cell phones without risking criminal or other penalties. In fact, we believe the same principle should also apply to tablets, which are increasingly similar to smart phones. And if you have paid for your mobile device, and aren't bound by a service agreement or other obligation, you should be able to use it on another network. It's common sense, crucial for protecting consumer choice, and important for ensuring we continue to have the vibrant, competitive wireless market that delivers innovative products and solid service to meet consumers' needs.”
White House aide R. David Edelman went on to say they'd support legislation to legalize cell phone unlocking and are calling on the FCC and NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) to take a closer look at this matter. FCC chairman Julius Genachowski confirmed they are in fact looking into it and published this statement:
“The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress recently reversed its longstanding position and stated it is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act for consumers to unlock new mobile phones, even those outside of contract periods, without their wireless providers’ permission, and that consumers are subject to criminal penalties if they do.”
“From a communications policy perspective, this raises serious competition and innovation concerns, and for wireless consumers, it doesn't pass the common sense test. The FCC is examining this issue, looking into whether the agency, wireless providers, or others should take action to preserve consumers' ability to unlock their mobile phones. I also encourage Congress to take a close look and consider a legislative solution.”
The White House is currently asking US carriers to reconsider their policies “to ensure that their customers can fully reap the benefits and features they expect when purchasing their devices.” Whether carriers will follow through and make the right changes is another story entirely.
Source: White House
Via: Wired
I can see refusing to unlock when still under contract since the price is subsidized by the carrier. But once the contact is over it should be the user’s property to do what they want with it.
I know, right? Is amazing that this no unlocking nonsense passed in the first place, but not too surprising when you look at carriers’ track records.
Lol at least they can do 1 thing right.