It’s reported that the UK government is considering a sales ban on small mobile phones designed to look like remote-access car keys.
Although many of the phones resemble keys used by major vehicle brands, which would infringe the manufacturers’ copyright, there are also concerns that the phones are small enough to be smuggled into prisons.
The National Trading Standards Board (NTSB), which represents trading standards services across England and Wales, has confirmed that its eCrime Centre is working with the Serious Organised Crime Agency because some of the phones may be dangerous.
Lord Toby Harris, chairman of the National Trading Standards Board, said “Trading Standards takes a very serious view of products being sold that might pose a danger to members of the public. We are particularly concerned that these phone are being sold online and retailers may not be aware of who they are selling them to. We would urge online retailers not to sell these phones, or members of the public to buy them.”
Recent figures have shown that around 7,000 mobile phones and SIM cards are currently confiscated in prisons across England and Wales every year.
[More details: BBC News; The Times]