Minnesota is known for it’s many, many lakes, extremely cold winters and a huge mega-mall. Now it’s known to take a huge stance against cell phone theft.
As of July 1, 2015, every smartphone and cell phone in Minnesota will be required to have a preloaded anti-theft functionality. In other words, every phone sold in this state starting July 2015 must have an anti-theft tool or app. Governor Mark Dayton hopes this combats cell phone theft, especially violent incidents. Governor Dayton isn’t alone in his concern. Minnesota senators are pushing to make this a federal law. University of Minnesota police say nearly two-thirds of on crime campus is cell phone theft, many of those by armed robbery. Minnesota isn’t alone in fighting cell phone theft. Back in February, California introduced a bill combating cell phone theft.
The statistics are alarming. Did you know every minute, 113 portable phones are lost or stolen? It’s competing with ID theft as the fastest growing crime in the US today. So I actually agree with Minnesota in passing this law. Now I know what some of you might say: Should the government be getting involved at all? Shouldn’t we wait for cell phone companies to take care of this? Isn’t this big? brother? In the case of cell phone theft, and how fast it’s rising, I say give this law a try. But make sure people’s rights and securities aren’t being infringed upon. Is an anti cell phone theft mandate right for your state, or the whole nation in general?