The role of GSMA in combatting global device crime and fraud

GSMA, a global association representing mobile operators, driving industry collaboration, innovation, and connectivity, manages the Global Block List – the world’s most accurate registry of mobile device status information. A vast network of organisations powers the GSMA Block List, making it the largest global ecosystem for device status sharing, network-based blocking, and combating device-related crime. Those operating in the secondary market can look up IMEIs in order to ensure they’re not handling, or trading, stolen goods.

A registry of IMEIs

The GSMA operates Device Registry (also known as the Global Block List) on behalf of the mobile industry. Using mobile devices’ unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, the Device Registry database allows participants – including mobile operators, device manufacturers, device resellers, device insurers and inventory managers - to report upload the IMEIs of devices that have been reported stolen to help prevent their connection to mobile networks.

A global database

There are currently 190+ Contributors, across all 6 continents, who are protecting over 1 billion users. This includes 130+ operators and 60 trusted third-party organisations.

The registry has strong participation from mobile network operators in the Americas and Western Europe, and GSMA is working hard to expand its presence across other markets such as Asia and Africa.

Facilitating network-based checking and blocking

The GSMA is tackling mobile device theft through a range of initiatives devised in and supported by the Device Security Group. CNOs (Contributor Network Operators) are uniquely permitted to download data from the Device Registry to facilitate ongoing network-based checking and blocking. Over 170 million IMEIs blocklisted and ~15 million new devices reported every year.

Protecting the secondary mobile resell and trade in market

The GSMA plays a crucial role in safeguarding the used mobile device market through its Device Check service. This service provides trade-in marketplaces and recyclers with access to the world's largest and most accurate database of blocked devices. Over 1,000 organisations in more than 50 countries are checking IMEIs against this platform on a daily basis, resulting in more than 150 million devices being queried per year.

Used by industry leaders

While the GSMA cannot compel marketplaces to use this service, they strongly recommend that device identities of devices offered for sale should be checked against the Device Registry block list as best practice across the industry. We’re already seeing a number of market leaders including Assurant, Blackbelt 360 and NSYS Group use the service.

Law Enforcement agencies have free access to the web platform, to facilitate crime prevention and investigations.

Future proofing

Leveraging eSIM blocking capabilities is something that the GSMA is considering as something to complement the GSMA Device Registry. It is envisaged that the Device Registry could be enhanced to incorporate an eUICC identifier (EID) block list. The EID is the 32-digit unique identifier that every embedded SIM card has.

This has the potential to be a huge step forward, making it easier to block devices, as it’s something that could be done by SM-DP+ Providers or mobile network operators or a combination of both.

There are also discussions within the GSMA to explore adding non-IMEI devices such as laptops and earbuds, given the trust that second-hand retailers already place in the services.