Proposed legislation that would require all smartphones sold in California to include a "kill switch" is now on Gov. Jerry Brown's desk after it passed the state Senate with a massive majority, 27-8.
The bill has received much attention since it was first proposed by state Sen. Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat, late last year, and the majority of citizens support the move after much crime as a result of smartphones has been reported.
Leno says he expects Brown to sign bill SB962 into law, making California the first state in the country to pass such legislation.
If Brown signs the bill, it would require all smartphone manufacturers to include a "kill switch" for users to deactivate the phone in the event it is stolen. The ruling would go into action in July next year. If activated, the switch can render the phone useless by permanently deactivating it.
"This is the first bill of its kind in the country," Leno said. "I think as any number of issues here in California, when we act it becomes the de facto way business is done across the country. Minnesota passed a bill before ours, but it's opt-in. That will not make it a universal deterrent."
Although popular, there are those who voiced concern over the bill, arguing it would require smartphone makers and retailers to pay the cost, which some lawmakers said would be bad for business, Tech Times reports.
The Wireless Lobby has also admonished the move [pdf], saying there already exist a number of anti-theft features and adding another one required by law would increase production costs and might allow whole categories of phones to be disabled if the kill message is hacked. They warned this could result in more expensive devices for the customer.
Still, Leno and others say by adding a "kill switch" to all devices, it would deter crimes. Smartphone thefts have grown along with their use. More than 65 percent of all robberies in San Francisco and 75 percent in Oakland involve the theft of a mobile device, according to Leno.
