California lawmakers plan to propose a new bill that would require smartphones and tablets to have a built-in “kill switch,” so consumers can protect their data if their phone is stolen.
If the bill passes, the new security implementation would be mandatory by Jan. 1, 2015. All phones sold in California after that date would need to have a kill switch installed, according to The New York Times. The switch essentially renders a phone useless, which makes it harder for a thief to sell.
Any company selling phones without the extra protection would possibly face fines up to $2,500 for each device.
A nationwide initiative was started in June by some of the same people who support this bill. Ultimately, the industry and lawmakers would like to see regulations aimed at reducing theft.
