Enhancement Request: Add IMEI as a Device Identifier for Location Retrieval API

[vonshirco]

Problem description
Currently, the Location Retrieval API supports identifiers such as ipv4Address, ipv6Address, phoneNumber, and networkAccessIdentifier. However, there is no support for the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, which is often used by telecom operators and security agencies to track lost or stolen devices, even if the SIM card has been removed.

This limitation reduces the potential use cases for the API, particularly in scenarios where the SIM card has been removed or replaced, such as in the case of a stolen phone. In these situations, the IMEI number is typically the only remaining identifier tied to the physical device.

Possible evolution
It would be beneficial to enhance the API by adding IMEI number as a supported device identifier. This would allow for the retrieval of device location even when the SIM card has been removed, addressing use cases such as, Tracking lost or stolen devices where the SIM card has been swapped out.

Alternative solution
If adding IMEI as a device identifier is not feasible at this stage, another solution could be to consider integrating more device-specific identifiers, such as a hardware-based serial number, that could be used when SIM-based identifiers are unavailable.

Additional context
In many jurisdictions, devices are tracked by their IMEI number to prevent misuse or theft. Adding IMEI as an identifier could greatly improve the usefulness and coverage of the Location Retrieval API, especially for security and recovery purposes. Given that this is a widely accepted practice in the telecom industry, it seems like a natural extension of the API's functionality.

[bigludo7]

Hello
This is a fair requirement but I do not see how we can get the information from network equipment (I mean here SCEF & NEF) as we can query location information with ip, external identifier of phone number.

Any idea @vonshirco how technically the location information could be retrieved only with an IEMEI ?

[eric-murray]

Any idea @vonshirco how technically the location information could be retrieved only with an IEMEI ?

You also need to consider:

• How do you identify the network operator to which the device is now connected? It will almost certainly now have a different SIM.
• IMEI is personal information of the device owner. How do you identify the owner of the device, who will not be the owner of the SIM now in the device?