Joint Statement From A.G. Schneiderman And D.A. Gascón On Consumer Reports Projections That Smartphone Thefts Are Up 94% In Just One Year

LongIsland.com

The number of smartphone thefts nearly doubled from 1.6 million in 2012 to 3.1 million in 2013.

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San Francisco, CA - April 17, 2014 - New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón today issued the following statement in response to Consumer Reports projections that the number of smartphone thefts nearly doubled from 1.6 million in 2012 to 3.1 million in 2013. 
 
"Today’s report showing smartphone theft nearly doubling over the course of just one year is the latest reminder of the urgent need for the wireless industry to take action now and end this global epidemic. There is no need to put off the implementation of technology that is available right now. Every week that passes, another family falls victim to violent and often deadly smartphone theft. Wireless customers are being targeted for their devices because the industry has failed to deploy existing safeguards in a manner that will end the surge of street crimes that often turn violent. These findings show how critical it is for the industry to fast-track implementation of these solutions on an opt-out basis. These solutions must be enabled by default."