Wireless carriers agreed to disable stolen smartphones after pressure from U.S. regulators and a police chief who told the industry “shame on you” for not helping to stem a spike in violent robberies.
It is hoped the agreement, announced yesterday, will eventually deter thieves by simply disabling mobile gear like ipads and iphones making it worthless after it is stolen.
Within six months carriers are to create a national database so companies can lock out phones, tablet computers and other stolen devices, according a summary distributed by the FCC.
(READ the Bloomberg News story in Business Week)