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Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society
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Pursuing the Anonymous User: Privacy Rights and Mandatory Registration of Prepaid Mobile Phones

Gordon A. Gow

University of Alberta

Jennifer Parisi

Concordia University

In recent years there has been concern among law enforcement and national security organizations about the use of "anonymous" prepaid mobile phone service and its purported role in supporting criminal and terrorist activities. As a result, a number of countries have implemented registration requirements for such service. Privacy rights advocates oppose such regulatory measures, arguing that there is little practical value in attempting to register prepaid mobile devices, and the issue raises important questions about a citizen's entitlement to anonymity in the ownership of a networked communications device. This article provides an overview of the issue and presents findings drawn from a recent study on prepaid mobile phone regulation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. The article concludes by suggesting that there are significant problems with the claim that mandatory registration of prepaid mobile phone service is a necessary or an effective regulatory course of action.

Key Words: anonymity • telecommunications policy • prepaid mobile phones • privacy • OECD • public safety • terrorism

This version was published on February 1, 2008

Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, Vol. 28, No. 1, 60-68 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0270467607311487
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