It's called Remote XT technology and it works by installing software onto the operating system of the phone. This will activate via a call to a call center once users realize their phone has been snatched or lost. Then the phone is remotely disabled, all the data held on the device is then wiped, and a high pitched screech is triggered.
The screaming noise can then be stopped once the battery is taken out and will start screaming again when the battery is put back in the phone. Even if you replace the sim card, the phone can't be activated. The sim card acting like a fingerprint. This system also backs up your information once a day and users can reload their information onto a replacement handset.
The service costs about $18 a month and is offered by all the major servicers. They hope it will halt the spiraling rise (190% increase) in phone theft.
There are many that have been interviewed in the general public that think this won't do a thing. Just like car alarms, thieves still steal cars.
Here is one comment that a person made in regards to this type of phone. "Lock down the phone, good idea; erase all the data, brilliant; trigger it to emit a blood-curdling scream, I can see the lawsuit now. Phone is lost in the back seat of a taxi, blood-curdling scream causes taxi driver to lose control of the taxi and crash into a minivan killing a pregnant woman and her four small children. Good plan! Where do I sign up?"
The sad part about this is that you have to call this into the management company to report the theft. At that time, they erase your information from that phone and send out the SCREAM. I can see it now, "excuse me ma'am, can I borrow your phone so I can make my phone scream at the thief." LOL And what about those of us in the mortgage and real estate industry that need our cell phones daily. Could you imagine being at an open house or hosting one. Leaving your phone some where and thinking that someone stole it. You then report this while not at the house. But the homeowner hears this obnoxious scream, piercing throughout the house. Do you claim your phone after hearing this story? LOL
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