As new kill-switch bill becomes law in California, smartphone thefts are already declining

A new law takes effect today in California, requiring that new smartphones come with a "kill-switch." The switch will allow users to remotely wipe and brick their handset in case it is stolen or lost. But in advance of the bill becoming law, smartphone thefts have already declined by a substantial 32% in the U.S. 

That decline took the number of thefts involving a smartphone from 2013's 3.1 million, down to last year's 2.1 million. Just the idea that the phone they are stealing can be rendered a useless brick in a matter of seconds, is making criminals think twice about risking their freedom to steal what could easily end up an expensive paperweight. Because the bill requires the manufacturers to include an opt-out Kill switch, the feature will be included on new phones by default. This way, those not familiar with smartphones or industry news will still be covered.

The carriers have long been fighting against the kill-switch bill since stolen phones are usually replaced at full price. But the new law is in effect to protect consumers, something that San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman have been trying to do for the last few years.

Besides California, a similar law began in Minnesota today. Since handset manufacturers don't plan on making variants of their new phones for a city or even a state, the new laws are essentially going to cover the entire U.S.

source: Forbes