The Kill Switch

The post The Kill Switch appeared first on MoTech Radio.

Discussion has been going on for some time about the possibility of installing a “kill switch” into smartphones. This switch would allow the owner to wipe the phone remotely in the event that their phone is stolen:

Despite opposition from phone manufacturers, the California senate just passed a bill requiring manufacturers to install similar technology:

California senate passes smartphone kill switch bill

would require manufacturers to install technology that would allow a customer to remotely wipe a device and render it inoperable when it is stolen or lost. …

This is a huge step forward for those wanting the kill switch to be mandatory. Mercury News explains:

“If the bill becomes law, industry experts say, it could set a new standard across the country, as many states are trying to address a dramatic rise in increasingly violent robberies of smartphones. New York, Minnesota, Illinois and the federal government are all considering legislation that would put anti-theft technology in cellphones.”

The idea of being able to prevent a thief from accessing my personal information does sound inticing – but will the phone industry go for it? Only time will tell.