California law could end grand theft mobile with kill-switches in all smartphones

Lawmakers in California are so intent on curbing record levels of smartphone theft, they’re ready to fine phone makers if anti-theft measures aren’t available on their devices. The New York Times reports that the order will come from State Senator Mark Leno, who is set to introduce a new law requiring all smartphones and tablets sold in the state to include a “kill switch” solution. Ignore the ruling and device makers could face a $2,500 fine for each device sold.

San Francisco and New York prosecutors George Gascón and Eric Schneiderman set the ball rolling when they met with representatives from Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft last year. Apple then won praise for including its Activation Lock feature by default in iOS 7, requiring device owners to set a passcode that stopped thieves reactivating a stolen phone. While it would only officially cover California, the new law could force phone makers into a full US rollout, likely upsetting the carriers. The CTIA, which represents the likes of AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint, believes its stolen phone database is a better solution and will fight the ruling. If it is signed into law, phone makers will have until January 1st, 2015 to implement a solution or they will not pass Go and will be forced to hand out more than $200.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Internet, Software, Mobile, Apple, Samsung

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Source: New York Times