Brazil’s Safe Cell Phone Program blocks devices after alerts issued
Brazil’s Safe Cell Phone Program has received 20,055,000 blocking alerts from users who have installed the app on their mobile phones. Launched in December last year by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the program has more than 1.4 million registered users, with over 1.1 million cell phones.
The platform acts as an emergency button and should only be used in cases of cell phone loss, theft, or robbery. The action ensures the quick blocking of the device, telephone line, and banking apps in just a few clicks.
Access to Safe Cell Phone Program is through registration on Gov.br, the federal government's services platform. Devices can be registered via the website or the app, available on the Play Store (Android) and the App Store (iOS). The companies that have joined the initiative are listed in the terms of use.
There is no limit to how many numbers can be registered, but they must be linked to the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number of the line's owner for the block to take effect. Those registered with Safe Cell Phone Program can nominate trusted individuals who will be authorized to carry out the blocks if the owner's cell phone is stolen, robbed, or lost.
Once the alert is sent, the financial institutions and telephone companies that have signed up to the project will block the device. The procedure and blocking time for each company are also available in the terms of use on the website and app.
Unblocking
The Safe Cell Phone tool does not offer the option of unblocking. If the user receives a lost, stolen, or robbery alert but then recovers the phone, they must request access by contacting the operator and banks. Each company has a different procedure for recovering devices and app accounts.
The platform was developed by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security in partnership with the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) and the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel). Its aim is to reduce the "attractiveness" of robbery and theft and discourage the use of stolen devices.
