New California bill demands smartphone ‘kill switch’

10 years ago

“A California state legislator has introduced SB 962, a bill that would require smartphones sold in the state to include a ‘kill switch’ that would ‘render inoperable’ the phone if it’s not in the possession of the rightful owner,” Joe Mullin reports for Ars Technica.

“California is the largest state in the US, and its laws have in the past become de facto national laws. The now-ubiquitous publication of privacy policies on Internet websites, for instance, is the result of a California state law,” Mullin reports. “The state has also led the nation in areas like rules around auto emissions.”

“The bill was introduced this morning by State Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), who says he’s responding to the rise of smartphone theft,” Mullin reports. “‘Today we are officially stepping in and requiring the cell phone industry to take the necessary steps to curb violent smartphone thefts and protect the safety of the very consumers they rely upon to support their businesses,’ said Leno in introducing the bill. Wireless industry trade groups have opposed measures like Leno’s in the past. Leno and his allies, including San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón, are hoping this bill will fare better than its predecessors in other states.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: You can have seventeen “kill switches” per smartphone and the root problem will remain untouched. What’s Leno’s next bill going to demand, exploding shoe laces on Air Jordans? Disintegrating pocketbook straps? Non-removable watches?