California bill proposes mandatory kill-switch on phones and tablets in 2015

[Seriously]

http://www.networkworld.com/news/20...ll-proposes-mandatory-kill-switch-278537.html

The proposed bill, a copy of which was seen by IDG News Service, doesn't specify the kill-switch technology. Carriers or phone makers will be able to design their own system in software, hardware or a combination of both, but once activated it should prevent phone calls, Internet access and the ability to run apps.

It will have to be resistant to a hard reset, attempts to return the device to factory condition or a downgrade of the operating system. Users should have the option of deactivating it if they don't want the protection, but retailers will be banned from offering such a service.

The bill proposes retailers will be subject to a fine of between US$500 and $2,500 per device sold that doesn't include the technology. The fines won't target private sellers of second-hand phones.

We need something like this!

 

[MKFrost]

AFAIK networks can already disable phones by blocking the IMEI number but this never happens. All they do is block the SIM.

 

[DA-LION-619]

Resistant to hard reset but users can activate it...
Also what kind protection is this for?

 

[Dave]

http://www.networkworld.com/news/20...ll-proposes-mandatory-kill-switch-278537.html

We need something like this!

Sounds just like the IMEI blacklist process in many European countries....

 

[Syphonx]

Someone will find a way around it. What if you activate it by accident? Is there no way to undo it?

 

[ld13]

AFAIK networks can already disable phones by blocking the IMEI number but this never happens. All they do is block the SIM.

IMEI numbers could/can be changed. IMEI blocking does happen in SA, but that phone can still be used in other countries.

Also what kind protection is this for?

As per the article this protection is against theft.

What if you activate it by accident? Is there no way to undo it?

How would one activate it by accident? In any case, the tech is yet to be designed ...

 

[MKFrost]

IMEI numbers could/can be changed. IMEI blocking does happen in SA, but that phone can still be used in other countries.

True, I forgot that it can actually be changed.

 

[Rickster]

Why cant they marry the SIM to the phone's IMEI?

 

[Batista]

What is the reasoning behind the kill switch?

 

[Seriously]

AFAIK networks can already disable phones by blocking the IMEI number but this never happens. All they do is block the SIM.

With utils on the internet the phones can be given a new emei number as I understand it! Therefore blocking the IMEI or blacklisting means very little.

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=n...chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8#q=new+imei

https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&r...=OkeUfDTE0CJsF4Q5K1FmlQ&bvm=bv.60983673,d.ZG4

 

[Seriously]

What is the reasoning behind the kill switch?

Read the article. It's to render the electronics of the phone useless when the "kill-switch" are triggered by some "authority" as IMEI blacklisting are proven completely ineffective to prevent crime as it could be changed.

 

[grok]

a digital "kill-switch" that would make the devices useless if stolen.

Also for mass-deactivation when citizens rise against their governments, of course.

 

[Seriously]

Also for mass-deactivation when citizens rise against their governments, of course.

Now where in my tinfoil hat again, conspiracies incoming!

 

[Batista]

Read the article. It's to render the electronics of the phone useless when the "kill-switch" are triggered by some "authority" as IMEI blacklisting are proven completely ineffective to prevent crime as it could be changed.

Now where in my tinfoil hat again, conspiracies incoming!

Pls make a hat for me too...

 

[Seriously]

Pls make a hat for me too...

"Authority" does not mean or equal "Government".

 

[TJ99]

Why don't they stop pretending and just install the damn cameras and Big Brother portraits already?

 

[Syphonx]

How would one activate it by accident? In any case, the tech is yet to be designed ...

You lose your phone, think its stolen and activate the kill switch, then you find your phone.

 

[Dave]

IMEI numbers could/can be changed. IMEI blocking does happen in SA, but that phone can still be used in other countries.

Whilst I agree with the point of country/region IMEI blacklisting meaning that phones can still be exported to other countries or regions, most recent phones aren't capable of having their IMEI changed (except by the manufacturer). The only big manufacturer that seems to have little security priority is Samsung where it is still quite easy to change IMEIs.

If Apple, HTC, Nokia etc can do it, there is no reason why Samsung can't.

 

[Nerfherder]

What is the reasoning behind the kill switch?

Rendering a stolen phone useless.


Quite a few people have managed to track down they stolen goods only to find that it is located in another country (Nigeria etc)

So with the kill switch, as soon as someone tried to connect it to a network it would lock the phone forever, no matter what country.

 

[porchrat]

Not sure how I feel about this sort of thing. On one hand it is likely to seriously reduce cell phone theft. On the other hand considering that the US government has managed to quite easily get companies to hand over the private information of users it isn't a big jump to getting companies to shut off the phones the US government wants shut off. It certainly has the potential for abuse.