If your smartphone has never been stolen, then count your self lucky. Seems the US government is the only one that wants to do something about it as they have called on Smartphone makers to implement technology that will potentially reduce the instances of smartphone thefts, which are increasingly on the rise. Several makers were sent an open letter months ago, criticizing them for not taking a more
proactive approach to the issue.
Now two of those companies – Apple and Samsung – are having their anti-theft technology put to the test at a meeting under the Secure Our Smartphones (S.O.S) Initiative. The devices being tested are Apple’s iPhone 5 and its Activation Lock, and Samsung’s Galay S4 and its Lojack for Android.
Said the two in a statement: “While we are appreciative of the efforts made by Apple and Samsung to improve security of the devices they sell, we are not going to take them at their word. Today we will
assess the solutions they are proposing and see if they stand up to the tactics commonly employed by thieves. Together, we are working to ensure that the industry embeds persistent technology that is effective, ubiquitous and free to consumers in every smartphone introduced to the market by next year.”
In 2012 the US launched a stolen cell phone database that will help in advances of such technologies
SOURCE: NY AG
