More Americans Using PINs, Passwords To Protect Their Devices, CTIA Says

A new survey paid for by CTIA found that 61 percent of Americans who own smartphones and tablets use PINs and passwords to protect them, a 20 percent increase from 2012. CTIA said the increase is a reason for the reported decline in device thefts. The FCC has made curbing device theft a priority. Recent data suggests device thefts are down 40 percent in London, 22 percent in San Francisco and 16 percent in New York City, according to numbers released at the April meeting of the FCC Technological Advisory Council (see 1504010055). “One of the reasons for this increase by Americans to protect their personal data stored on smartphones and tablets is thanks to the collective wireless industry’s consumer education activities as well as the initiatives developed by individual companies,” CTIA said. Harris Poll conducted the online survey. CTIA released only preliminary results, the association said Thursday.