With Encryption Battle on Hold, Burner Phones Now Targeted

Although the FBI has apparently paused its battle with Apple over encryption, there’s now another branch of the technological world under fire: burner phones. A new house bill, introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), would essentially kill the anonymous prepaid phone industry.

The bill calls for retailers of prepaid phones to collect personal information on all buyers, including name, birth date and home address. The retailers would also be told to verify the info with a driver’s license number, social security number or other suitable form of ID.