As we have reported, California has passed legislation requiring a "kill switch" be placed on all phones sold in the state after July 1, 2015.

Although the new law only affects phones sold in California, it is doubtful that manufacturers will market phones with kill switches only to that state. It would be more practical that all new phones will employ a kill switch.

The legislation requires a system that, if triggered by an authorized user, will lock a handset to essentially make it useless. The law follows pressure on phone makers from the state’s law enforcement community to do something about rising incidents of smartphone theft, which has become one of the most prevalent street crimes in the state.

California State Senator Mark Leno, the sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement: “California has just put smartphone thieves on notice. Our efforts will effectively wipe out the incentive to steal smartphones and curb this crime of convenience, which is fueling street crime and violence within our communities.”