These days, smartphones are almost like computers. They contain crucial information, and are targets of theft across the country. Now, a Minnesota senator has introduced a bill that would require cell phones to have "kill switch" technology, which would remotely wipe personal data and would render the phone inoperable to anyone but the owner, according to PCMag.
Cell phone theft has become big business. In fact, it costs consumers more than $30 billion each year and endangers countless theft victims, according to Daily Gadgetry. A kill switch would, in theory, help lower the incentive for stealing smartphones and could help consumers protect their identity and finances.
This isn't the only move to implement a kill switch, though. California Sen. Mark Leno actually proposed new legislation earlier this month that would require all smartphones sold in the state of California to have a kill switch by 2015, according to The Droid Guy. This would only be implemented in California, but the newest legislation would require all smartphones sold in the U.S. to have a kill switch.
Yet not everyone is happy with the idea. The wireless industry is concerned about the kill switch in technology. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could potentially prevent people from calling 911 during an emergency, according to PCMag.
"While Senator Klobuchar and CTIA are of like mind when it comes to wanting to prevent the theft of wireless devices, we clearly disagree on how to accomplish that goal," said CTIA vice president Jon Carpenter, according to The Droid Guy. "Rather than impose technology mandates, a better approach would be to enact Senator Schumer's legislation to criminalize tampering with mobile device identifiers."
It remains to be seen whether or not a "kill switch" would be implemented. But this change would mean a big switch for companies like Samsung and Apple. Whether or not it actually happens, though, remains to be seen.
