New Google app could help providers block phone functions if you miss installment payments

07 November 2020
The practice seems a bit strange for Google, but we could make some sense out of it.

Sort by:

  • A
  • Anonymous
  • j9J
  • 10 Nov 2020

cerealguy, 09 Nov 2020Me too. I'd never buy a thing on a credit. Especially ... moreThat's it. I'd love a note 20 ultra or an iphone 12 pro max and I could probably get it on contract but it wouldn't be easy so I have to look at the feasibility involved and paying instalments of 60-80 euros a month for 24 months is just something I cannot say that I know that I can do so I have stayed as I am. I think even if I got a contract phone, I'd want to be in a position to pay a large lump sum off it straight off like 6-9 months and maybe then. I just don't feel it's worth the risk of potentially putting myself in a perilous position in a year. Especially in such an uncertain time.

    FBZ, 07 Nov 2020No point buying phone on credit.....there are phones that c... moreMe too. I'd never buy a thing on a credit. Especially electronics and gadgets. If you don't have the money to buy it, then save until you can buy it, or buy something you can afford.

      • a
      • anonymous
      • j9J
      • 08 Nov 2020

      AnonD-765530, 08 Nov 2020Yeah rightYeah right. Common sense. Don't buy it if you can't pay for it. Simples.

        • D
        • AnonD-765530
        • 0wq
        • 08 Nov 2020

        Anonymous, 08 Nov 2020The calling and texting part is already disabled by carrier... moreYeah right

          • A
          • Anonymous
          • j9J
          • 08 Nov 2020

          potato4k, 08 Nov 2020It should just disable the smart part of the phone, but sti... moreThe calling and texting part is already disabled by carriers when suspended for non payment. Your phone shouldn't really be life and death. Smartphones didn't exist twenty five years ago and people survived. If someone's phone is a matter of life and death, probably should make sure you keep up with payments on it.

            It should just disable the smart part of the phone, but still allow phone calls, especially for emergency. Basically just turn it into a dumb phone. The calling / phone part shouldn’t be disabled as it can be life or death situation.

            It should work like those ultra power savings mode in OEM skins that turn the phone to just make calls and receive sms.

              • D
              • AnonD-807890
              • 6sE
              • 08 Nov 2020

              AnonD-909757, 07 Nov 2020Yeah, I know they are already doing it, not long ago I watc... moreNo I agree with you. It's justified if you don't pay what you owe... it's a breach of contract sure, but remote locking is basically blackmail.

              On the bright side, I don't think it'll be retroactively rolled out like what Tesla has done. It'll be for new devices with new contracts, but I personally don't have any feelings about this change since all my things are purchased straight up, new or used. What's mine is mine, and it sure as sh*t better stay that way.

                • A
                • Anonymous
                • j9J
                • 08 Nov 2020

                AnonD-909757, 07 Nov 2020Lol, what ? Hell no ! Regardless if this is an unlocked p... moreThat's entirely the point. They don't belong to the consumer until they're paid off. Yes they are computers with amazing capabilities so what you're saying is that you want to have all those capabilities without paying for them because if you are on schedule with payments or even ahead of it, there's nothing to worry about is there?

                  • s
                  • sq2013
                  • j9J
                  • 08 Nov 2020

                  Frmg, 08 Nov 2020Obviously will be ilegal in many countries. Why would it be illegal in many countries or any for that matter?

                    • A
                    • Anonymous
                    • j9J
                    • 08 Nov 2020

                    It says block phone functions. Carriers can already blacklist phones. Google are adding additional blocks. I would imagine that it's going to be a graduated approach. Blocking the least important functions at first before eventually going to a full device blacklist.

                      • A
                      • Anonymous
                      • j9J
                      • 08 Nov 2020

                      I think that it's a great idea. I work for a carrier. A common complaint from customers is that I'm applying for a credit agreement, mortgage, remortgage, etc and your company has sent my details to a DCA and I'm now being refused credit by a lender. You never sent me any notification that I was behind. I got no letter because you didn't update my address when I asked or the customer will say you have the correct address but I received no letter. This way, there's no excuse. Too many people want the best but don't want to pay for it and think that they're being picked on. They're not. It's a credit agreement. It's a customer's responsibility to pay. If you can't pay, be upfront about it if circumstances change. Don't come back years down the line and say that your problems are all down to a mobile phone network. It's very straightforward. you buy the latest samsung or iphone on a contract, you have to maintain payments on a set date for 24 months. You pay it late, it'll damage your credit file. You miss a payment, it'll do worse damage to your credit file. You fall behind for six months or more, the debt will be sent to a DCA and you will have a default on your credit file. You wouldn't believe the amount of people who try to say I didn't pay because the signal was bad or the phone wasn't working well, I lost my job or some such excuse. I know that I would not be a reliable customer on a contract agreement so I don't get involved. I buy a good phone outright that is affordable to me. I don't try and overstretch myself. This idea is fantastic in my opinion because from my experience lots of adults behave like children when it comes to fulfillment of contracts looking for someone else to blame. This way, it's foolproof. Yes the full functionality of the phone is important but why should you be entitled to that if you don't own it and won't pay for it in the way you agreed to do so.

                        • A
                        • Anonymous
                        • j9J
                        • 08 Nov 2020

                        Anonymous, 08 Nov 2020The issue of abuse is that if someone buys a phone on one o... moreCaveat emptor. If you buy a phone from eBay, Gumtree, Facebook etc, and it's a very newly launched model but selling below what you might expect by two or three hundred, you should smell a rat. I work for a carrier. I come across this all the time. I feel terrible for these people that have got cheated but I also feel that they've been negligent. No paperwork, no contact maintained with the seller. I honestly think that usually the buyer knows the potential risk and is so greedy to get the latest and greatest phone at a reduced price, they'll go with the risk. I feel terrible because there is literally nothing we can do when a customer calls with a blacklisted device.

                          Anonymous, 07 Nov 2020why tho? its the law that carrier can take back the phone i... moreYes, take it back is fine. But not disabling functionalities.
                          Imagine a car buyer missed a payment, and then the car dealer disabled the brakes.

                            • F
                            • Frmg
                            • JU1
                            • 08 Nov 2020

                            Obviously will be ilegal in many countries.

                              I really don't get the hate people are showing, if you don't pay what you signed up for you have no right to complain when the item you don't own losses functions. people are just so self entitled. You don't have the money to buy a 1000 €/$ phone then don't get it.

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • v%b
                                • 08 Nov 2020

                                JohnW1981, 07 Nov 2020I really don't see what's so bad about this? A ph... moreThe issue of abuse is that if someone buys a phone on one of these credit plans; then sells the phone to an unsuspecting buyer only for them to find out 2 weeks later the phone locks up when the next payment is due.

                                Google needs to make clear with some permanent icon that shows the phone is under credit and can be locked remotely.

                                  I really don't see what's so bad about this? A phone bought on credit doesn't belong to the buyer until it's paid for, legal title remains with network/credit provider until then. Defaulting on mortgage or car finance payments incur similar consequences. To me the practice of networks charging the same monthly fee during lengthy periods of interrupted signal quality is far far worse.

                                    • F
                                    • FBZ
                                    • ps8
                                    • 07 Nov 2020

                                    No point buying phone on credit.....there are phones that cost $150 now. I would rather buy that and be free of such stupid arrangement than buy a $800 phone on credit.

                                      • w
                                      • wasox
                                      • 8Vt
                                      • 07 Nov 2020

                                      You want to have something, anything, you must pay for it, simple, you do not want any kind of trouble, pay, just pay, nothing is for free, instead of complaining about someone locking or restricting your phone, pay, pay, pay, that is the decent, civilized way to acquire things, paying in full for them

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • fvS
                                        • 07 Nov 2020

                                        It's like Google wants to be hated by everyone.

                                          1 of 3