In response to growing smartphone theft in California, Governor Jerry Brown signed a notable bill Monday requiring all smartphones sold in the state after July 1, 2015 to come equipped with a "kill switch."
After a contentious year of debate over whether and how to implement smartphone "kill switches" -- applications that allow users to disable their lost or stolen devices remotely -- it looks like most smartphones will come with that option in an attempt to deter smartphone theft. Here's good news from Apple: They work.
In the beginning of April, Samsung decided to allow users to access anti-theft apps, including a so-called "kill switch" for its Samsung Galaxy S5 on select carriers. Where Samsung goes (and where Apple pretty much already is with "Activation Lock"), so goes the rest of the smartphone industry.
While the fight over smartphone anti-theft legislation continues in the California State legislature, Samsung has announced its new Galaxy S5 devices will come with the so-called "kill switch" app that law enforcement and government prosecutors have been calling for.
California lawmakers are pushing legislation to reduce theft and increase data privacy for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices by mandating that all mobile products sold in the state have a so-called "kill switch."
