Blocking stolen gadgets 11.02.2014

California state senators have filed a bill requiring manufacturers to add a "kill-switch" option to their smartphones and tablet computers. The move is being touted as a forced response to the rise in mobile device theft in the US. The submitted bill, the initial ideas of which we have already talked about on our website, requires the implementation of a technological solution that will make the device absolutely useless if it is stolen, blocking access to the main functions of the device. The technology, despite the regional peculiarity of the bill under consideration, should ensure the functioning of the "kill-switch" system both in California itself and beyond its borders. The feature lock will apply to absolutely anywhere in the United States.

Under Act No. 962, the California Senate requires manufacturers to implement a technology solution to block stolen devices. All mobile devices that went on sale from January 1, 2015 fall under the bill. True, the regulations do not at all describe the principle of the "kill-switch" technology and the methodology for its implementation. It is up to manufacturers to find the right solution privately. Its integration is possible both with the help of the software component of the device, and using the hardware approach.

A combined solution to this problem is also possible, which also provides for the interaction of mobile operators and manufacturers. But a prerequisite, according to California senators, is the absolute reliability of the chosen method, which must be resistant to attempts to reinstall the operating system, the intervention of third-party software to crack the "firmware" and other methods that involve resetting the existing protection on smartphones. The bill also defined a mandatory functional component that is subject to blocking: making phone calls, accessing the Internet and the ability to launch applications. True, whether this applies to all applications installed in the device or the list will have a certain list of programs is not specified.

The bill also provided for penalties for those who decide not to heed the demands of the Senate. For each device sold that does not contain the described technological solution, a fine of $500 to $2500 is due. However, individuals and used devices do not fall under the "punitive" measures of California officials. Users will be able to disable the option at their discretion, but retailers will be strictly prohibited from offering such a service on their own.

Given the explosive growth in sales of mobile electronics, especially in the United States, half of the robberies in San Francisco and 75% of such crimes in Oakland were committed because the victim had a mobile device that the robber decided to profit from. The statistics of such criminal atrocities in Los Angeles is also growing every year, along with smartphone sales, according to local police reports.

The described problem has approximately the same scale character for all states of America. Therefore, if the submitted bill is approved, then with a high degree of probability there will be a "chain reaction" in all administrative units of the United States. Ultimately, according to experts, this will lead to the introduction of "kill-switch" everywhere, and not just at the local level. Then manufacturers will not need to focus on the peculiarities of California legislation, since the US commercial market will not be able to offer the buyer "unprotected" mobile devices.

Samsung, Google, Microsoft and Apple have already heeded the demands to secure their products. In turn, the Cupertians introduced the lock activation function in the new iOS 7 operating system, and the South Korean manufacturer used the "Lojack for Mobile Devices" software in some of its smartphones.