California may soon require kill-switch for smartphones

[Jazzy]

It was just two weeks ago that California's smartphone kill switch initiative seemed sure to fail. Senate Bill 962, which would have mandated the ability for users to remotely disable their stolen phone, lost a vote in California's state senate.

But it's back. Last Thursday, the state unexpectedly approved the bill, and it now proceeds to the state Assembly, where the Democratic majority is likely to pass it into law.

This might seem like a win for consumers, but not everyone agrees. The CTIA, a smartphone trade association, argues that maintaining a database of stolen phones is a better way to deter theft.

Security advisor Sean Sullivan from Internet security firm F-Secure thinks the bill is problematic in a number of ways. "This is a law that only the over-privileged could love," he said. "As if it would actually reduce mobile thefts? It will take years for the tech to circulate, and by the time it's in everybody's hands... there will be some workaround. That's always what happens."

Sullivan is concerned that a smartphone kill-switch would not only be ineffective as a theft deterrent, but also could be abused to stifle free speech or play havoc with the public: "I'm really stunned that a representative from San Francisco can push this, especially after the BART [administrator] shut down cell phone coverage during the protests of the recent past. I would have thought that libertarians would be in an uproar about this. Do they think such a standard won't have a 'backdoor?' "

Full article

What do you think about this smartphone kill-switch? Good idea? Bad idea?

 

[Evil Eye]

Bad idea. I imagine 'hackers' turning off people's phones left and right just for the heck of it.

 

[JetWing34]

So the only way to get rid of your smartphone is to recycle it or buy a new one in exchange? Borrowing other people's smartphones is considered stealing? I don't get it.