FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler On New Effort To Help Consumers Combat Stolen Cell Phones

CTIA-The Wireless Association and its members understand that smart-device theft remains a serious problem. Their enhanced voluntary commitment to adopt anti-theft features and educate consumers demonstrates their resolve in combatting it. I am encouraged that the industry has taken action in response to the recommendations recently submitted by the Federal Communications Commission Technical Advisory Committee’s stolen phones working group, and I am hopeful that this new voluntary commitment will make a meaningful difference for consumer safety.

As the enhanced commitment recognizes, these solutions work only if they are adopted widely. The FCC will remain vigilant in this area by pushing for further improvements to the theft-prevention toolbox, and also by monitoring closely whether the efforts of industry and others are producing meaningful results.