scope:

The scope of this best practices specification on Mobile Device Theft Prevention (MDTP) is limited to phones and tablets with user interface capabilities (e.g., touchscreen) which have an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). Machine to Machine (M2M)/Internet of Things (IoT) devices and devices without cellular network capabilities (e.g., WiFi only devices) are out of scope. Personal Computers (PCs) and laptops with cellular capabilities are also out of scope.

Purpose

At the December 4, 2014 meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technological Advisory Council (TAC) approved the final report of the Mobile Device Theft Prevention (MDTP) working group. [Ref 1]

The MDTP working group report contains a recommendation which requires development of standards or best practices within ATIS. Specifically, Recommendation 1.5 (as quoted below) tasks industry to develop "standards, methods and procedures" to obtain device identifiers from smartphones:

"Recommendation 1.5: The FCC TAC recommends that ATIS in coordination with other appropriate industry groups (e.g., GSMA-NA Regional Interest Group) be tasked with developing standards, methods and procedures to obtain device identifiers from smartphones including those which are locked or rendered inoperable.

Note: Device identifiers are typically available on smartphones either through a label on the device (which may be under the back cover or under the battery), or available through a menu option on the screen. This recommendation is to define standards, methods, and procedures for obtaining such identifiers from the device even if the device is locked or disabled, and may include a combination of physical and electronic methods for obtaining the identifier.