Innovations prevent mobile phone crime

Mobile Phone Security Challenge produces innovative designs to protect mobile phone crime

Three new design innovations to tackle mobile phone crime ?including a device that locks a phone and alerts the owner if it is taken away ? have been unveiled today.

The prototypes were developed by teams of designers and technology experts as part of the Mobile Phone Security Challenge, an initiative from the Home Office Design and Technology Alliance and the Design Council, with support and funding from the Technology Strategy Board.

The aim of the challenge was to protect mobile phone users from crimes such as mobile phone identity fraud, which rose by over 70% in 2009; to make phones more secure; and to prevent unauthorised use of mobiles for electronic ?contactless? payments, soon to be become widespread in the UK.

The solutions are:

·         i-migo ? a small device that the user keeps about their person. The i-migo sounds an alert and locks the handset if it is taken out of a set range - either through theft or loss. The i-migo also provides automated backup of important data using Bluetooth technology.

·         The ?tie? solution ? this electronically matches a handset to a SIM card and protects data stored on the handset with a password and encryption. If stolen, the handset cannot be used with another SIM and data such as saved passwords, browsed websites, and contacts cannot be accessed by criminals, who can use it to defraud victims, by hacking into online bank accounts.

·         TouchSafe ? aimed at making ?M-Commerce? transactions more secure by using a small card worn or carried by the user, who discreetly touches the phone to the card to enable the transaction. Touch Safe uses the same Near Field Communication (NFC) technology currently used by the Oyster travel card.

The technologies were developed in consultation with experts from some of the biggest phone companies and manufacturers. David Kester, Alliance member and Chief Executive, Design Council, said: ?It?s about thinking smarter than criminals. Designers have provided innovations that are one step ahead; new phones are still desirable to consumers, but they?re useless to criminals if they?re equipped with these new concepts. The technology behind each of these ideas provides UK companies with promising business opportunities.?