After the White House said it supported the people’s right to unlock their cell phone, some members of Congress also confirmed they are ready to legalize cell phone unlocking. One Congressman, Sen. Ron (Wyden D-Ore.), has already introduced legislation on the issue, according to a report in The Hill.
This issue reared its ugly head last year when the Library of Congress did not extend the DMCA exemptions that gave mobile phone owners the right to unlock their phone. As a result the practice of unlocking your phone, even when you are out of a contract, became illegal earlier this year.
Public outrage about this change in policy led to an online petition that garnered enough votes to capture the attention of the White House. And here we sit today with both Congress and the President on board with cell phone unlocking. Knowing how slow the gears of Congress work, though, I would not expect to see any changes in the law right away.
[Via The Hill]