Kill switch proposed for all new smartphones
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 12/21/2013 04:33 PM
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According to police statistics, in the city of San Francisco, more than half of all robberies now involve a smartphone.
California state Senator Mark Leno and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón have proposed a new law that would force the smartphone makers to devise a "Kill Switch" on all phones.
"One of the top catalysts for street crime in many California cities is smartphone theft, and these crimes are becoming increasingly violent," Leno said in a statement.
Gascón has accused the mobile phone industry of dragging its feet. "I appreciate the efforts that many of the manufacturers are making, but the deadline we agreed upon is rapidly approaching and most do not have a technological solution in place."
The industry really has no great willingness to comply as stolen or lost phones make for repeat business.
If the law passes, all new smartphones will be mandated to have some kind of "kill switch". The legislation will be presented in Jan. 2014.
"One of the top catalysts for street crime in many California cities is smartphone theft, and these crimes are becoming increasingly violent," Leno said in a statement.
Gascón has accused the mobile phone industry of dragging its feet. "I appreciate the efforts that many of the manufacturers are making, but the deadline we agreed upon is rapidly approaching and most do not have a technological solution in place."
The industry really has no great willingness to comply as stolen or lost phones make for repeat business.
If the law passes, all new smartphones will be mandated to have some kind of "kill switch". The legislation will be presented in Jan. 2014.
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