De Blasio joins Schneiderman to protect against smartphone robberies

By Matthew Dondiego

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio has announced joining the Secure Our Smartphones Initiative — a coalition of public officials and consumer activists working to pressure the smartphone industry to create technological solutions aimed at addressing the rising rate of mobile device thefts.

The initiative — formed by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon — is hoping to work with smartphone manufacturers to develop software aimed at eliminating the economic value of stolen mobile devices.

"The epidemic of violent street crime involving the theft of mobile devices is a global problem that demands a global solution," Attorney General Schneiderman said. "I'm glad that Public Advocate de Blasio has joined the global effort to protect consumers by demanding that smartphone manufacturers find a way to make sure that stolen devices cannot be sold in the lucrative secondary markets around the world, thereby eliminating the perverse incentives that put so many members of our community at risk.

Schneiderman continued, "By teaming up with law enforcement and policy leaders, we are sending a powerful message to the multi-national corporations that dominate the electronics industry: They must be good corporate citizens and take steps to ensure the safety of their consumers and our citizens."

Read more at http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-10-22-85538.113122--De-Blasio-joins-Schneiderman-to-protect-against-smartphone-robberies.html