Today a smartphone is a prized technological wonder that is one’s most treasured possession.
Nobody (especially the younger set) would think of leaving home without it.
It is an expensive item coveted by many and always arousing envy.
It is also the favorite target of “snatch thieves” the “rob and run” street crime artists.
Considering its value, you would think that people would be careful about protecting it.
But such is not the case.
Many people are walking, eyes glued to the magic little screen, totally oblivious to their surroundings.
This is when the snatch thief strikes.
A quick grab and your baby is gone. Smartnapped!
Adieu, veau, vache, cochon!
And your chances of getting it back are practically nil.
This is unfortunate.
But yesterday as I was departing a coffee shop I witnessed something that left me shaking my head in disbelief.
In a case of supreme carelessness somebody left his/her car keys and his/her smartphone unattended on a table located outside a coffee shop.
This person probably went inside to fetch something, but how could anybody be so incredibly careless?
I don’t know what happened next, but leaving such valued possessions on the table is an open invitation to theft.
Take me please… I beg you.
Losing a smartphone is one thing, but losing the data that is stored on your device is a more serious matter.
For some, their entire lives reside on the gizmo.
Contacts, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, photos, confidential messages… everything is now in the hands of the thief.
Somebody is about to break into your inner sanctum.
Just think of the ramifications!
But help is on the way.
Governor Jerry Brown just signed a law requiring manufacturers to put a “kill switch” for remote deactivation on their devices.
Starting July 1, 2015, all phones sold in California must have an anti-theft feature that would render stolen devices inoperable.
That is good news, but until the law is implemented, your smartphone (and your personal life) is at risk.
Put it on a leash. Guard it with your life, or delete (hum…) everything that is confidential on it.
Especially those questionable pictures.
Alain