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My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

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Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#3

Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Or is this a feature chasing after fears of the bogeyman, leading to concrete inconveniences like this?

> Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having?

Yes absolutely

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/phone-london-snatch-9.7204104

Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#4

Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Or is this a feature chasing after fears of the bogeyman, leading to concrete inconveniences like this?

It's a big enough problem in Brazil that the government has an official app to report incidents of phone theft:

https://www.gov.br/pt-br/apps/celular-seguro-br

https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/comunicar-roubo-furto-de-a...

Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#5
post #3

Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Or is this a feature chasing after fears of the bogeyman, leading to concrete inconveniences like this?

> Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Yes absolutely https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/phone-london-snatch-9.7204104

Thanks! Given this was CBC, my jaw hit the floor when I saw London. I live 20 mins from London, Ontario and 70k thefts in a year would be _insane_. Then I realized it was about London, U.K. and my jaw only hit the table. 70k is still insane, though.

Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#6

Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Or is this a feature chasing after fears of the bogeyman, leading to concrete inconveniences like this?

Ever since phones became pretty immune to reselling-theft (steal phone, reset it, sell it) people have been snatching phones and trying to empty crypto, banks, etc before it locks. Some apps don't reauthenticate.

Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#7

Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Or is this a feature chasing after fears of the bogeyman, leading to concrete inconveniences like this?

It's a big enough problem in Brazil that the government has an official app to report incidents of phone theft: https://www.gov.br/pt-br/apps/celular-seguro-br https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/comunicar-roubo-furto-de-a...

>an official app to report incidents of phone theft

I can't be the only person to see the irony here. Do they also have a drive-thru to report car theft?

Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#8

Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Or is this a feature chasing after fears of the bogeyman, leading to concrete inconveniences like this?

Yes, its why those long crossbody lanyards are now so popular.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/mggh4ll/a/crossbody-strap...

Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#9
post #3

Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Or is this a feature chasing after fears of the bogeyman, leading to concrete inconveniences like this?

> Is "snatching a phone and running off" a common enough problem in some regions that this is worth having? Yes absolutely https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/phone-london-snatch-9.7204104

Why bother stealing iPhones? Is it just for the scrap/recycle->repair value?

Re: My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”

#10
I found this doozy from someone trying to test out the feature:

> After looking over Google’s advice, my key takeaway was that thieves are in much better shape than me, and run both longer and faster than this nerdy writer has in more than two decades.

https://www.androidauthority.com/android-theft-detection-loc...

Personally, the main situation I'm concerned about is on a bus or train, where someone grabs your phone right and exits right before the door closes. But I already avoid spending a lot of time on the street with my head buried in my phone.

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