Kill switch legislation defeated in California

Legislators voted 19 to 17 to approve the bill, but it needed at least 21 votes in order to pass.

The bill would have required all smartphones and tablets sold in the state to contain a so-called "kill switch," which would render the device inoperable if lost or stolen.





San Francisco Attorney General George Gascón and LAPD chief Charlie Beck said: "This technology exists, and it's on millions of smartphones. Unfortunately, it's been deployed in a way that requires smartphone owners to activate it themselves," they wrote. "This is problematic because most smartphone users don't know their devices have the technology or how to turn it on. Moreover, thieves can't tell which phones have the technology enabled and which do not, which leaves everyone vulnerable to victimization."

Money seems to be the bottom line as Gascon stated: "Wireless carriers and manufacturers make billions of dollars a year replacing stolen smartphones. They also make money selling theft insurance. Putting an end to smartphone thefts might not be good for business."

Gascón pointed the finger at lobbyists.