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The White House is throwing its support behind a petition calling for the reversal of a controversial Library of Congress ruling last October that made it a criminal offense to unlock a cell phone or other mobile device. Responding to over 114,000 petitions, a White House technology adviser writes that rather than face five years in prison for unshackling their devices from specific wireless carriers, people should be free to switch providers without buying new equipment.

“The White House agrees with the 114,000+ of you who believe that consumers should be able to unlock their cell phones without risking criminal or other penalties,” writes R. David Edelman, President Obama’s senior adviser for the Internet, innovation, and privacy. “In fact, we believe the same principle should also apply to tablets, which are increasingly similar to smart phones.”

Last year, the Library of Congress stated that unlocking a smart phone was not exempt from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, despite the fact that a Commerce Department agency that advises on telecommunications policy suggested otherwise. Edelman also writes that, going forward, the Obama administration will direct the Federal Communications Commission to look into ways to make it easier for phone and tablet owners to switch providers once service agreements expire.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski released his own statement today questioning the Library of Congress’ opinion. “From a communications policy perspective, this raises serious competition and innovation concerns, and for wireless consumers, it doesn’t pass the common sense test,” he said.