New guidelines announced to protect smartphones

CHICAGO (WLS) -- This week, the association representing wireless carriers announced a new "voluntary commitment" by manufacturers to provide protections.

The guidelines ask that all models of smart phones manufactured after July will offer free anti-theft tools to remotely wipe them, or make them inoperable.

In February 2014, the I-Team exposed the smartphone theft epidemic locally, and found that most were being sold in Hong Kong for up to $2,000.