But it’s hard to get them to elaborate as to why they think that.
A kill switch lets users lock the phone if it is stolen, making it inoperable.
Smartphone theft has reached “epidemic” proportions, Leno says.
On Gascon’s home turf of San Francisco, over half of thefts involve phones ortablets.
Across the bay in the city of Oakland, that number jumps up to more than 75 percent.
“Our members work hard every single day to help consumers prevent theft and protect their information.
Carriers have business ties with insurance firms, selling plans to customers in case phones are stolen or damaged.
And Leno agrees the situation raises questions.
“There’s an inherent conflict of interest,” Leno told CNET.
Mandating companies ‘to death’?
Apple did not return a request for comment.
“The Republicans in particular just ape the line of the California Chamber of Commerce,” said Leno.
“Everything they don’t like is a job killer.
Every raise in the minimum wage is a job killer, even though more jobs are created.
It’s not backed by any fact.
It’s just rote pronouncements.”
Huff, who also voted against the bill, was unavailable for comment.
It’s not certain if regulation played a major role in the companies' decisions to move.
Now thefour national carriers are big supportersof the “It can wait” campaign.
That campaign urges drivers to refrain from texting.
“They’ve seen the light,” said Leno.
“Unfortunately, how many people had to die before that?”
