You’re going off of phone contracts that haven’t been around for a decade. The cost of the phone up front, and has been for a long time.
They lock it so you’ll pay for the phone. That’s the only reason.
Should requiring people to pay for things be illegal?
Frankly you’re being ignorant, and expect to somehow get a thousand dollar device for free. That’s not how the world works.
You can continue paying at&t for the phone after moving to a different carrier.
How do you think people will steal phones like this?
Wha? The guy I responded to said the customers now pay full price up front. If a device is bought it should be unlocked.
Additionally giving away a phone for a determined time contract means that the company is technically giving you a loan and it should be on your credit record, require the company to do a proper credit check and be allowed to give out loans.
Bottom line, it’s predatory and should not be allowed. Noone is advocating giving 1000 dollar phones for free… it was a strawman you stuck me with… but I don’t want it.