In Brazil, the Rule Is Don't Look at Your Phone in Public
The reported total is falling somewhat but remains huge, and many victims never go to the police.
Reuters World News · Cybersecurity flaw, Russia-Ukraine and Brazil's phone problemIn Brazil, people follow a simple rule in public: do not look at their phones, because more than 800,000 phones were robbed last year.
Reporter Luciana Magalhaes, reporting from Sao Paulo, says cell phones have become a symbol of Brazilians' worry about violence. She says the reported total is falling somewhat but remains huge, and many victims do not report thefts because they think it is not worth going to the police.
Such scenes are all too common, including one in which content creator Tabitha Lenk had her car window smashed and her phone taken while she sat in traffic.
With an election coming up, incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has increased the punishment for robbing cell phones to a minimum of four years and a maximum of 10 years. His rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, wants to go further, with a minimum of eight years.
Questions people ask
Why are cell phones such a popular target for thieves?
Stolen phones can be resold quickly, stripped for parts, or used to try to access banking apps and personal data. In crowded streets and slow traffic, a visible phone can be grabbed in seconds.
What can people do to protect themselves besides hiding their phones?
Experts generally advise using a PIN or biometric lock, turning on remote tracking and wiping, and avoiding displaying the phone on streets or in stopped cars. Many people also carry an older backup phone when going out.
Is phone theft getting better or worse in Brazil?
The reported numbers are falling somewhat but remain very high, at more than 800,000 robberies last year. That mix of slight improvement and huge scale helps explain why phone theft has become a national campaign issue.