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After Bill Intro by Rep. Serrano, Communications Firms to Include "Kill Switch" on Smartphones
[April 16, 2014]

After Bill Intro by Rep. Serrano, Communications Firms to Include "Kill Switch" on Smartphones


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) NEW YORK, April 15 -- Rep. Jose E. Serrano, D-N.Y. (15th CD), issued the following news release: Just two months after Congressman Jose E. Serrano introduced legislation in the House to require smartphone manufacturers and cell phone service providers to allow consumers access to a "kill switch" on all devices, the CTIA announced that various wireless carriers would commit to making this technology available to consumers. Allowing a kill switch will deter the rising number of cell phone thefts by giving consumers the ability to wipe their phone data, render the device useless on any network, and make it unable to be reactivated or reprogrammed if stolen by criminals.



"Today's announcement from the industry group representing the wireless carriers is an important step forward," Congressman Serrano said. "The growing problem of cell phone theft has cost consumers billions of dollars and caused real harm. I am gratified that the industry has seen fit to follow the model laid out in the Smartphone Theft Prevention Act, and will take action to end this problem. I urge them to go further and automatically install kill switches on all smartphones, to more quickly implement this feature, and to ensure all carriers and manufacturers include it." In late February, Congressman Serrano unveiled The Smartphone Theft Prevention Act, H.R. 4065, at an event with New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and NYPD Commissioner Bratton.

The Federal Communications Commission estimates that more than 30 percent of all robberies today involve smartphones. In New York City, cell phone theft has grown 40 percent in the past year, and now makes up 20 percent of all robberies in New York City. Cell phones are typically stolen for resale in both domestic and international black markets, but can also be stolen in order to try and access a consumer's personal information. Unfortunately, sometimes these crimes can turn violent, with tragic results.


TNS 30VitinMar-140416-4705473 30VitinMar (c) 2014 Targeted News Service

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