June 8, 2010
Lawmakers crack down on prepaid cells, cite terror
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Two lawmakers say it's time for prepaid cell phone users to identify themselves.
New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer (SHOO'-mur) and Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn (KOHR'-nihn) have introduced legislation requiring consumers to produce identification before buying such phones.
That's rattled some civil liberties groups, who say the bill may threaten privacy rights.
Prepaid phones can be a lifeline for people with limited incomes or poor credit.
But since they can be purchased anonymously, they're a favored tool of drug dealers and other criminals looking to cover their tracks.
Prepaid phones also have been linked to suspected terror activity.
Authorities say accused Times Square bomb plotter Faisal Shahzad (FY'-sul shah-ZAHD') used one to purchase a car in which to hide the bomb.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
