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San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and New York
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released this joint statement following
today's deployment of Apple's
newest operating system, iOS 7:
"After months of pressure from a global coalition of elected officials and law
enforcement agencies, we are pleased that Apple is set to release a new mobile
operating system that includes a theft deterrent feature called Activation
Lock. This is an important first step towards ending the global epidemic of
smartphone theft.
“In the months ahead, it is our hope that Activation Lock will prove to be an
effective deterrent to theft, and that the widespread use of this new system
will end the victimization of iPhone users, as thieves learn that the devices
have no value on the secondary market. We are particularly pleased that –
because Activation Lock is a feature associated with Apple's new operating
system as opposed to a new device – it will be available to consumers with
older phone models who download the free upgrade.
“While it is too early to tell if Activation Lock will be a comprehensive
solution to the epidemic of ‘Apple Picking' crimes that have victimized iPhone
and iPad owners around the world, we believe it is a step forward and strongly
urge iPhone users to download iOS 7, and most importantly, ensure they utilize
both an Apple ID and Find My iPhone. We also encourage Apple to make Activation
Lock a fully opt-out solution in order to guarantee widespread adoption, and
strongly urge the other leading manufacturers of smartphones to quickly
implement effective theft deterrents that protect their customers from violent
crime.”
Gascón and Schneiderman also urge consumers to enable basic security features
such as a password or the newly available fingerprint scanning technology on
the iPhone 5S. While password and fingerprint scanning security features can
help protect data on a device, they do not deter thieves from stealing
smartphones. Theft deterrence for iPhone users will occur only if adoption of
iOS 7, and the utilization of an Apple ID and Find My iPhone is widespread.
Additionally, the success of Activation Lock is largely dependent on the
failure of hackers' rumored exploits.
Finally, they noted that simply downloading iOS 7 and enabling Activation Lock
through the use of an Apple ID and Find My iPhone does not mean consumers are
safe from potential theft. Even if Activation Lock proves effective, thieves
will not react overnight. Accordingly, it is vital that consumers beare aware
of their surroundings at all times, especially when using their smartphones in
public places.
The Secure Our Smartphones (SOS) Initiative coalition is a groundbreaking
coalition of state Attorneys General, major city Mayors, District Attorneys,
major city Police Chiefs, state and city Comptrollers, public safety activists
and consumer advocates from around the world. This initiative is working to
encourage the industry to implement meaningful solutions that will end the
national epidemic of violent thefts of mobile communications devices such as
smartphones and tablets.
For more information on efforts by District Attorney Gascón and Attorney
General Schneiderman to combat “Apple Picking,” visit the San Francisco
District Attorney's website [ http://www.sfdistrictattorney.org/ ] and the New
York State Attorney General's website [ http://www.ag.ny.gov/ ].
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