Met Wants Compulsory Smartphone PINs
London's Metropolitan Police Force is looking to get industry aid in combatting a rising tide of street robbery.
It wants Samsung and Apple, the companies behind Galaxy S5 and iPhones, to make smartphone and tablet pins obligatory.
The Met's National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU) is behind the initiative, according to IT news site The Register today.
Compulsory pins would make it harder for criminals to gain access to stolen devices; according ot NMPCU stats, 60% of phones do not have PIN protection.
Measures Needed
The Force wants to make password protection opt-out, rather than opt-in, in the smartphone's factory settings, with the story quoting DCI Bob Mahoney: "We have been talking to the industry and government. This is one of the main ideas among a range of measures we are trying to push to protect personal data.
"All of the industry has been engaged at all levels - and government too."
"On an unlocked phone, you can find a person's home address, home telephone number, their partner's details, diary, Facebook and Twitter account," Mahoney continued.
"This allows thieves to know when a target is not going to be at home or perhaps use their details to set up banking loans. They could destroy a person's life."
Image: Ervins Strauhmanis, Flickr
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