SC Attorney General Alan Wilson partners with other attorneys general as Comcast’s Internet Essentials program expands partnerships to promote internet safety for seniors, parents, and children

(ATLANTA, GA) - May 17, 2019 - As part of its ongoing campaign to promote online safety for Internet users, Comcast today announced the latest phase of a joint effort between Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption initiative for low-income households, and three more State Attorneys General.  South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall join 17 other state chief law enforcement officers committed to better educating students, parents, and seniors about how to be safe on the Internet.  Since 2011, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program has connected more than six million Americans nationally to the power of the Internet, including nearly 20,000 in South Carolina.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, more than 300,000 cyber-crime complaints were filed in 2017, totaling more than $1.4 billion in monetary losses.  40 percent of these complaints were reported by adults age 50 and over, which underscores the urgent need to educate seniors about Internet scams. In 2017, South Carolina was ranked number 24 among the states with the highest number of cyber-crime incidents, with almost 3,700 residents falling victim to cyber-crimes.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Attorneys General here in the Southeast and around the nation to provide low-income seniors, parents, and children the tools and knowledge they need to be safe from scammers and bullying online,” said David L. Cohen, Comcast Corporation’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.  “This is an issue that cuts across party lines.  There is a universal desire on the part of law enforcement officials to protect Americans from the potential risks of being online.  We also want to address the fear that many seniors and parents have about the Internet, which is preventing them from connecting to potentially life-changing resources.”

“Internet predators continue to find new and innovative ways to prey upon our children and South Carolina is no exception,” said South Carolina Attorney General Wilson.  "We must continue to expand our efforts to not only investigate and prosecute these crimes, but to educate parents and youth on how they can be more vigilant and safer using Internet technology.  This partnership with Comcast will help give us the tools we need to provide consistent and up-to-date information for seniors, parents with school-aged children, and students.”

All these efforts help advance Comcast’s comprehensive approach to helping close the digital divide and extend an initative the company first started in 2017 with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

About Internet Essentials

Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program for low-income Americans.  It provides low-cost high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax; the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150; and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in person.  For more information, or to apply for the program, visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376. Spanish-only speakers should call 1-855-765-6995.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses:  Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky.  Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses.  It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand.  NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts.  Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services.  It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services.  Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights.  Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.