A US lawmaker wants to tighten laws regarding so-called "burner phones" and similar simm cards which are pre-paid and available at petrol stations and convenience stores across the country, because of their connections in crimes and terrorist acts.  But critics say the proposal penalizes retailers and the vast majority of customers who aren't criminals.

Disposable phone are a convenience enjoys by thousands and thousands of users who don't want to be bogged down with long-term mobile contracts; low income people without the regular paycheck required to get a deal from the major carriers; or seniors who just want a simple, featureless phone for emergency without having to learn about Android, iOS, cameras, and apps.  They're also anonymous - especially when purchased with cash. 

But these phones have crept up in pop culture, often in the hands of a bad guy on "The Wire", "Breaking Bad" or some such show, used by a criminal in plotting phase of a major crime before it's disposed of under a boot heel.  The terrorists in the 9/11 and Paris 13 November attacks actually did use these kinds of mobiles, although they represent an extremely small slice of actual customers.

Filled with good intentions, Rep. Jackie Speier of California wrote the "Closing the Pre-Paid Mobile Device Security Gap Act of 2016" to require customers who buy these pre-paid mobile devices to provide their names and addresses backed up by a state drivers license, US passport, or some other form of official ID.  Retailers would have to keep that information for 18 months, matched to the information of the specific phone or simm card.

"This bill would close one of the most significant gaps in our ability to track and prevent acts of terror, drug trafficking, and modern-day slavery," said Rep. Speier in a social media post, pre-supposing that most or all such phones are used by criminals.  She may be thinking, "drug dealers," but these phones are also used by women who escape abusive relationships - and Rep. Speier's bill would create a paper trail, complete with full names and addresses.