Wireless Industry Delivers on Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment

WASHINGTON – Today, CTIA-The Wireless Association® announced the wireless industry’s fulfillment of the Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment ** that gives U.S. consumers – at no cost – new protections in the event their smartphones are lost or stolen. Included are capabilities to remotely lock and wipe missing devices while still enabling 9-1-1 calls even when the phone is locked and providing the consumer a means to unlock the phone when it is recovered. The industry will also maintain its proactive consumer education and outreach campaign to deter theft. Participating companies are Apple Inc.; Assurant, Inc.; Asurion; AT&T; BlackBerry Limited; Google Inc.; HTC America, Inc.; Huawei Device USA; LG Electronics MobileComm USA, Inc; Motorola Mobility LLC; Microsoft Corporation; Samsung Telecommunications America, L.P.; Sprint Corporation; T-Mobile USA; U.S. Cellular; Verizon Wireless; and ZTE USA, Inc.

Please attribute the following statement to CTIA President and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker:

“Today’s fulfillment of the Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment is another example of the wireless industry proactively working together with policymakers and law enforcement to help protect consumers’ smartphones in the event they are ever lost or stolen. As media reports indicated from San Francisco to New York City, these efforts are significantly reducing device thefts across the country. We will continue to work with all interested parties to continue to deploy new technologies and tools to improve device theft deterrence tools. We remind consumers to take a few minutes to use PINs, passwords, apps and other device features – many of which we list on our website – to protect their mobile devices and personal information.”

CTIA-The Wireless Association® ( www.ctia.org ) represents the U.S. wireless communications industry. With members from wireless carriers and their suppliers to providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products, the association brings together a dynamic group of companies that enable consumers to lead a 21st century connected life. CTIA members benefit from its vigorous advocacy at all levels of government for policies that foster the continued innovation, investment and economic impact of America’s competitive and world-leading mobile ecosystem. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives and convenes the industry’s leading wireless tradeshow. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

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