Get Tech Support Now - (818) 584-6021 - C2 Technology Partners, Inc.

Get Tech Support Now - (818) 584-6021 - C2 Technology Partners, Inc.

C2 provides technology services and consultation to businesses and individuals.

T (818) 584 6021
Email: info@c2techs.net

C2 Technology Partners, Inc.
26500 Agoura Rd, Ste 102-576, Calabasas, CA 91302

Open in Google Maps
QUESTIONS? CALL: 818-584-6021
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • SERVICES
    • Encryption
    • Backups
  • ABOUT
    • Privacy Policy
FREECONSULT
Monday, 25 August 2014 / Published in Woo on Tech

Smartphone kill switch is now California law

ID-100146464.jpg

Despite industry opposition and a failed first attempt, California’s governor signed into law a bill that requires smartphone manufacturers to install and enable kill switch functionality on all smartphones sold after July 1, 2015. Though California isn’t the first state to enact a killswitch law – Minnesota enacted a similar law back in May – it’s the first to require that the kill switch be enabled by factory default. Opponents of the law were quick to point out that any state’s effort to enforce this capability are redundant, as many smartphones already have this functionality, and it is quickly becoming a standard for all manufacturers. Both Apple and Samsung feature some variation of activation locking that prevents stolen phones from being used, but as the authors of the California bill were quick to point out, having it available and actually enabling it are two different things.

What this means for you:

Even if you aren’t a California or Minnesota resident, it’s possible you already own a phone that has some form of kill switch capability, especially if the device was made in the past two years. Even if you are one of the careful 9 out of 10 people who hasn’t had a smartphone stolen, you should enable any kill switch and anti-theft capabilities your phone has to offer, including putting a passcode of some form on your phone. Misplacing a phone could be just as devestating without it, and even though it wasn’t technically “stolen”, no kill switch means that a less scrupulous individual just got a brand new smartphone for free. You should also enable recovery and theft prevention features on any tablet you own – both iOS and Android offer location and security as standard features of the OS – and keep in mind that California’s law only applies to smartphones, not tablets.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  • Tweet
Tagged under: kill switch, law, security, smartphone, theft

What you can read next

Facebook Logo
Is that Facebook Ad Stalking You?
The Brain-bending Microsoft Account
Linux targeted
Heartbleed bug has a “sequel” – Shellshock

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • ID-10067190.jpg

    Don’t expect Facebook to honor your privacy

    As someone who is beyond jaded by social media ...
  • Working from Home is great. Or is it?

    Social media is literally ablaze with heated di...
  • Should you flag a number as “spam”?

    It happens to all of us. You are elbow deep in ...
  • Honda Hacked

    Honda key fobs vulnerable to hack

    If you are a long-time reader of this blog, you...
  • Gmail security change creates unintentional headaches for businesses

    You may not realize it, but your organization i...

Archives

  • GET SOCIAL
Get Tech Support Now - (818) 584-6021 - C2 Technology Partners, Inc.

© 2016 All rights reserved.

TOP