According to new law in the United Kingdom, the loss of photos or sensitive data when a mobile device is stolen will cause tougher sentences for thieves, while the monetary value of the stolen property is now less important.

The updated sentencing council rules say that sentences should now consider whether a stolen possession meant a lot to the loser, even regardless of financial worth, and whether its loss could result in emotional distress or a loss of confidence. In other words, new guidelines would take a more holistic approach to the effects on a victim, instead of focusing only on traditional factors like the monetary worth of the lost device or the physical harm to the victim.

It is understandable that judicial thinking changes along with evolving technology – today people increasingly carry their whole lives on their smartphones, including their pictures, messages and sensitive financial data. Therefore, people will be understandably concerned that their information might be misused.

So, the new guidelines explain that the cost of a stolen device is not the only thing valued by the courts. The new law also emphasized the “disruption caused to infrastructure”. This refers to taking into account the distress and inconvenience caused, for instance, to passengers stranded on trains due to metal theft, as they can miss important meetings or going on holidays. These costs normally far exceed the financial cost of replacing the stolen metal. The same applies to cases on abstracting electricity.

Harsher penalties are also established to thieves stealing valuable metal from war memorials or loot historic artefacts. For example, a thief caught desecrating a war memorial in August was jailed for one year.