In the UK, smartphone users are facing a concerning surge in phone theft incidents. Thieves are targeting individuals, snatching phones from their hands while they are out in public. This criminal activity has been on the rise, as evidenced by recent data from the Met Police indicating that over 70,000 London residents fell victim to phone theft last year, averaging about 192 incidents per day.
Apart from the financial loss associated with a stolen device, there is also the emotional distress of losing personal data, private photos, and sensitive information stored on phones. Recognizing the severity of the issue, Samsung is taking steps to assist users by offering essential security features.
Samsung is urging smartphone users in the UK to activate and update the latest anti-theft features available on Samsung Galaxy devices. One crucial feature to prioritize on newer Galaxy models is Theft Protection, which provides a comprehensive set of security measures designed to protect personal data, even in risky scenarios like theft.
Among the features included in Theft Protection is “Theft Detection Lock,” which uses advanced technology to recognize suspicious movements indicative of theft, such as sudden snatching, and automatically locks the screen to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, features like “Offline Device Lock” and “Remote Lock” offer further safeguards to secure the device even when it is out of the owner’s possession.
Samsung has also introduced new security updates, including Identity Check and Security Delay. Identity Check enhances security in unfamiliar locations by requiring biometric authentication for sensitive security changes, while Security Delay imposes a one-hour buffer in case of attempted biometric data reset, allowing users to secure their device promptly from a connected device before any unauthorized access occurs.
Annika Bizon, the VP of Product and Marketing for Mobile Experience at Samsung UK&I, highlighted the recent enhancements in security features through the One UI 7 update, emphasizing the company’s commitment to customer safety and security across its range of devices.
The anti-theft features are currently available on the latest Galaxy S25 series and are gradually being extended to previous flagship models, such as the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip 5, S23, and S22 series, with plans for further updates on additional Galaxy smartphones in the future.
