That is because you might live somewhere in one of those Eastern European countries...
Instead of being afraid of your belongings left on the beach might get stolen , guys, get yourself some civilization, some good justice system...

There is nothing wrong with N900 device being a phone, if they stole your cheap phone on the beach with all your contacts, isn't that also bad? What I'm saying: here people would not stole the phone on the beach, if this happens in your country, don't try to strip this phone of some features... just fix your country!