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| Subject: Apple, Other Smartphone Makers and major U.S. Carriers back Anti-Theft Measures Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:57 pm | |
| Apple, Other Smartphone Makers and major U.S. Carriers back Anti-Theft Measures Apple, Google, HTC, Huawei, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung have announced a voluntary commitment to include anti-theft technology in their phones beginning next year. The commitment has the backing of the five largest U.S carriers as well. The mobile phone makers have agreed to include anti-theft technology in devices from July 2015, which will have the capabilities to remotely wipe data and prevent the device from being activated without the owner’s permission. - Quote :
- CTIA President Steve Largent hailed the move as an example of the industry working with regulators and consumer groups.
“We appreciate the commitment made by these companies to protect wireless users in the event their smartphones are lost or stolen,” Largent said in a statement. “This flexibility provides consumers with access to the best features and apps that fit their unique needs while protecting their smartphones and the valuable information they contain. At the same time, it’s important different technologies are available so that a ‘trap door’ isn’t created that could be exploited by hackers and criminals.” It looks like Apple’s Find My iPhone along with the Activation Lock feature that was introduced in iOS 7 should meet the requirements. Apple added Activation Lock, a software kill switch, in iOS 7. This feature is turned on automatically when you set up Find My iPhone and makes it difficult for anyone use your iPhone or iPad if its been lost or stolen. Activation lock requires a person to enter the Apple ID and password of a phone before they can turn off Find My iPhone, sign out of iCloud or erase and reactivate a device. Find My iPhone is optional currently. California state Senator Mark Leno who had introduced the mandatory kill switch law believes that the initiative is inadequate to curb smartphone theft. - Quote :
- A number of state and local lawmakers praised the agreement, though it was panned as inadequate by California state Sen. Mark Leno, who has proposed a mandatory kill-switch law.
“The wireless industry today has taken an incremental yet inadequate step to address the epidemic of smartphone theft,” Leno said in a statement. “Only weeks ago, they claimed that the approach they are taking today was infeasible and counterproductive. While I am encouraged they are moving off of that position so quickly, today’s ‘opt-in’ proposal misses the mark if the ultimate goal is to combat street crime and violent thefts involving smartphones and tablets.” |
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