Attorney General Biden leads call for smartphone makers to take steps to protect consumers

31 State Attorneys General join international coalition encouraging smartphone manufacturers to protect the safety of consumers

Wilmington – Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, along with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, led an effort joined by 29 of their fellow state attorneys general in urging three leading smartphone manufacturers to develop more robust anti-theft features that would better protect smartphone users by deterring theft of the devices.

“The growing popularity of smartphones has made them valuable targets for thieves who sell them on black markets across the country and around the world,” Biden said.  “I’m concerned that this thriving black market puts consumers needlessly at risk of theft and violence.  That’s why my fellow Attorneys General have joined together to press the smartphone industry, which can and should do more to develop anti-theft features that reduce or eliminate the value of these devices to criminals.”

In a letter sent today to Google/Motorola, Samsung, and Microsoft, the bipartisan group of 31 attorneys general urged the companies to develop a technological means to protect smartphone users by drying up secondary markets for stolen devices and eliminate the economic incentive for theft.  “While some new anti-theft security features are encouraging, the response from manufacturers needs to be more robust,” the letter stated.  “For example, to the extent these security features have an opt-out component, or require consumers to pay for them, they may not be very effective.”  The Attorneys General pointed to the South Korean requirement that devices be produced with a “kill switch” that would enable stolen devices to be permanently disabled as an example of technology that would protect consumers and discourage theft.

The Attorneys General are members of the Secure Our Smartphones (S.O.S.) Initiative, a coalition of prosecutors, police chiefs, attorneys general, public officials and consumer activists launched earlier this year to combat the rise in violent street crimes involving smartphone thefts.  Coalition members are committed to pressing the industry to find effective solutions to stopping the epidemic known as “Apple Picking” – the theft of popular mobile communications devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Last year in Delaware, 1,894 electronic communication devises were reported stolen to police, and nationally, thefts of smartphones have spiked dramatically.  In the US, one in three thefts involves a mobile communications device, and Consumer Reports estimates that 1.6 million Americans were victimized by smartphone thieves in 2012.  Mobile electronic devices that are stolen across the US help feed the growing international trade in stolen devices.

The states that joined Biden and Schneiderman in today’s letter include: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont, as well as the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. These states join eight current S.O.S. Initiative members: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska and New York.

A copy of the letter sent by the attorneys general to smartphone manufacturers is attached.

Final SOS Letter

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Delaware Cracks Down on Cell Phone Use Behind The Wheel

One day enforcement blitz November 15th

Dover- Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and Delaware law enforcement agencies will once again be cracking down on cell phone use behind the wheel with a statewide one day enforcement blitz on November 15th.  This enforcement is a follow up to the Phone in One Hand. Ticket in the Other. campaign that took place earlier this year.

“We will continue to enforce Delaware’s cell phone law with one day enforcement blitzes to remind motorists that not only is it illegal to use an electronic device while driving it is also distracting and very dangerous,” said Jana Simpler, Director for the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

Distracted driving consists of any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) says you are three times more likely to be involved in a crash by engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found nationwide that 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.  And for drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes, 21% of the distracted drivers were using cell phones.

Additional one day enforcement blitzes will continue next year in February and April .  Enforcement will be accompanied by paid media including a heavy saturation of radio ads.

The Phone in One Hand. Ticket in the Other. campaign that ran in November 2012 and April & June 2013, resulted in a total of 5,757 cell phone citations.   To date there have been 14,712 cell phone citations issued in 2013.

Delaware cell phone law bans texting while driving as well as bans the use of hand-held cell phones.  Drivers are required to utilize hands-free technology in order to use a cell phone while driving.   It also bans the use of pagers, blackberry’s, PDA’s, laptops, games, or the use of any other electronic device by someone while driving. If you have to make a call, pull over to a safe place to use your cell phone or use a hands free device like a blue tooth.

If a police officer observes you using a handheld device while driving they can pull you over and give you a $106 fine for your first offense.  If you get caught again penalties increase and can go up to $300.  Violations do not incur points on your driver’s license.

For more information on distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov/delaware or ohs.delaware.gov/cellphone.

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Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Honoring Our Veterans for their Service, Sacrifice


Each year, Veterans Day weekend brings our communities together. Whether at memorials, parades or events with the V-F-W and American Legion groups, we cherish this chance to show support for men and women who have put service above self throughout our history. We reflect on the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy as a result of their sacrifice. As John F. Kennedy said, “as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” We must continuously renew our commitment to our Veterans, and I’m proud our state has recently taken steps to strengthen services for our returning heroes. In September, we declared Hire a Vet month, with a focus on reducing the disproportionately high rate of veterans’ unemployment. Earlier this year we launched our Veterans Services Directory, an online searchable database of organizations assisting Delaware’s military, veterans and their families. You can access these resources at https://delaware.gov/vsd. We’re supporting Veteran entrepreneurs through our Supplier Diversity Council, which ensures Veteran, as well as minority and women owned businesses, are afforded full, equitable opportunities to compete for State contracts. To participate in these efforts, companies need certification, so this month, on November 21, we’ll host an event to assist them in that process. For more information, Veteran businessmen and women can contact Michelle Morin at 857-4554. By ensuring Veterans receive the benefits they earned and the opportunities to employ their skills when they come home, we keep Delaware, and our great country, moving forward.


Governor’s Weekly Message: Honoring Our Veterans for their Service, Sacrifice


In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights ongoing efforts in Delaware to support the men and women who put service above self, as we look ahead to the Veterans Day holiday.

“We must continuously renew our commitment to our veterans, and I’m proud our state has recently taken steps to strengthen services for our returning heroes,” said Governor Markell. “In September, we declared Hire a Vet month, with a focus on reducing the disproportionately high rate of veterans’ unemployment. Earlier this year we launched our Veterans Services Directory, an online searchable database of organizations assisting Delaware’s military, veterans and their families.”

Every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/I2R_qljea_Q
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Honoring Our Veterans for their Service, Sacrifice


State of Delaware Gets New World War II Memorial

(Dover, Del.) – The Delaware Department of State, the General Assembly and the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs have scheduled a dedication ceremony to unveil a monument honoring Delaware’s World War II veterans on Saturday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m. on the south side of the Legislative Hall grounds in Dover.

“During a trying time in our country, Delaware played an important role in World War II, and we have a lot to be thankful for,” said Paul Lardizzone, Chairman, Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. “When some of the soldiers returned home from War, we didn’t take time to properly recognize and memorialize their service. Finally, here in our capital, we have a monument to pay tribute to all Delawareans for their contributions and sacrifices during WWII.”

The program includes attractions such as:

  • Remarks by Delaware dignitaries
  • Performance by the 287th Delaware National Guard Band
  • Fly over featuring vintage Twin Beech aircraft
  • WW II Exhibit at the Delaware Public Archives
  • Collection of WW II era military vehicles compliments of the 261st Artillery Reenactors Group

As chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Earl G. Jaques has shepherded several bills through the General Assembly to help veterans, but the retired Delaware National Guard Brigadier General said that “helping secure funding for a monument honoring World War II heroes was a top priority.”

“Unfortunately, Delaware has taken too long to honor the ‘Greatest Generation.’ Many are no longer with us, such as my father, who served in the Coast Guard,” Rep. Jaques said. “This monument not only honors those who served in the military, but also many other Delawareans who helped the war effort — working in the ship yards, military facilities or at the Chrysler plant making tanks. I hope everyone will support their loved ones who had anything to do with World War II. Whether they are still with us or not, let’s keep their memories alive.”

After the ceremony, a gathering will be hosted at the Delaware Public Archives. WWII veterans will be located at the Delaware Public Archives to informally discuss their experiences with people who are interested. Parking will be available all around the grounds of Legislative Hall and Delaware Public Archives.

For more information about the event, contact Tammy Stock at 302-857-3038 or visit veteransaffairs.delaware.gov.