ABSTRACT

Uruguaiana market is a key site for the circulation and recirculation of stolen mobile phones in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this chapter, we examine the Uruguaiana market, as a particular location that is embedded within the cycles of illegallity and insecurity in Rio de Janeiro and as a location that is also constructed by the circulation and meanings of mobile devices. We explore the practices that foster the circulation of mobile phones in Rio de Janeiro, from their acquisition to their replacement, exploring, through observation and interview, the interconnected perspectives of the actors who engage with mobile phones around the Uruguaiana market: street vendors, users, thieves, and the Rio de Janeiro city police (Guarda Municipal) who attempt to repress the illegal commerce on the streets.