Unlocking / Rooting your phone is now illegal

[gevorg]

How are they going to enforce this anyway?

Some applications on iOS like Skype can detect whether your phone is jailbroken or not. It might be possible that future iOS/Android releases would have some built-in functionality to detect unauthorized unlock/jailbreak/root. So the phone can just notify the wireless provider and they can do whatever, like slam you with fees/etc.

Anyway, this is another reason to resist buying phones on contract and get them unlocked. At least half of the battle is solved that way, and you would only worry about a jailbreak/root. Apple will resist any "tampering", while Google doesn't really seem to care if you root their phone or not.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Not for long.

It's already illegal to chip consoles for various purposes.

It's only the next logical step to make jailbreaking illegal. Once it is, then even developing the software or steps to do so becomes illegal as well, per the DCMA. Then all the people who shrugged and said 'eh' will realize that they can't get the software that let them root, so they're SOL.

The Library of Congress has stated that jailbreaking as long as the intent is NOT to pirate is allowed.

 

[berzerker60]

This allows carriers to harass ebay and craigslist to remove posts for unlocked/jailbroken phones. That's the real goal here - chip away at the secondary market to force you to buy from them. Same as the move towards video games that require internet connection to keep you from buying them from Gamestop.

 

[Rubycon]

This allows carriers to harass ebay and craigslist to remove posts for unlocked/jailbroken phones. That's the real goal here - chip away at the secondary market to force you to buy from them. Same as the move towards video games that require internet connection to keep you from buying them from Gamestop.

Bingo!

 

[Zodiark1593]

The reason why I hope PCs will never die. I want to bend the damn thing to my (possibly evil) will, not use it within set guidelines.

 

[SandEagle]

another way for them to track you and your activity.

 

[OverVolt]

Sooooo can I get laws passed against things that I don't like as if I were a telecom company?

It is now illegal to drive slower than the flow of traffic in the left lane or face a $1,000 fine payable to overvolt presto! Success! Double win for overvolt. It was hurting my profitability since it was slowing down my commute to work and I was using more gas. Think of the profits. The economy (although mostly just me) would be doing alot better if this law were passed.

 

[bamx2]

This law is anti-consumer and anti-competitive. Shame on congress for letting this ("back door law") happen ( I would guess that many of them knew about this and looked the other way).

I expect it to be challenged by a consumer rights advocacy group.

Maybe it could be repealed ? -

Complain to your congressman

sign the petiton - https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-unlocking-cell-phones-legal/1g9KhZG7

 

[Olikan]

Ha..funny you mention that, now a days, if you buy a peice of land some (corporation) already owns the mineral rights to it. If you found, gold, diamonds or oil in your land its not yours.

hehehehe, it's a trick that have since ever....you buy a land of XX feet^2 ...not XX feet^3

 

[tommo123]

Some applications on iOS like Skype can detect whether your phone is jailbroken or not. It might be possible that future iOS/Android releases would have some built-in functionality to detect unauthorized unlock/jailbreak/root. So the phone can just notify the wireless provider and they can do whatever, like slam you with fees/etc.

Anyway, this is another reason to resist buying phones on contract and get them unlocked. At least half of the battle is solved that way, and you would only worry about a jailbreak/root. Apple will resist any "tampering", while Google doesn't really seem to care if you root their phone or not.

built in functionality? that would just be removed in android of course making it pointless.

also, this wouldn't apply outside of the US and sending information about you to anyone else could violate data protection/privacy laws in europe i'd imagine. even if not, i'm sure it would be made illegal sooner rather than later.

 

[Ausm]

I root every phone I ever had and will continue to in the future.

 

[bamx2]

Just a reminder - The petition to rescind the unlocking law closes on 2-23-2013. Please sign it .

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-unlocking-cell-phones-legal/1g9KhZG7

 

[Double Trouble]

I root every phone I ever had and will continue to in the future.

I root the phones I have as well, it's a shame that the rules are being set to make it illegal to do whatever you want with device you own.