FCC move to disable stolen smartphones won't stop government data thieves

A new nationwide system for shutting off stolen smartphones might stop scammers from reselling government devices, but it won't necessarily protect the sensitive data inside, some information security experts say.

In Washington -- home of the federal government -- cellphones are stolen in 38 percent of all robberies, according to authorities. But while the national switch-off board might prevent fraud, confidential data stored in phones that are unencrypted still could be compromised, some information security experts say. Several major agencies handling sensitive information have neglected to encrypt their employees' mobile devices, according to the White House's annual report on data security compliance.