Mobile phones figure prominently in robbery statistics around the world. 65% in San Francisco, for instance.
As a deterrent, the US state of California will require, from 1 July 2015, that all phones sold in the state, have a kill switch, which will allow the legitimate owner to disable, &/or remotely erase their phone, if stolen. Also required, is the ability to re-enable the phone after it is recovered.
Legislation does not specify how the kill switch is to be implemented, but it will probably vary from existing "find my phone" capabilities only in that it will be installed & enabled by default.
Existing solutions for idevices include FoneHome & Apple's Find iPhone.
Android solutions include Where's My Droid & solutions included in security packages such as AVG, Norton, Lookout & CM.
Just search for "find phone" on the relevant app site.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/130546-california-governor-signs-law-mandating-kill-switch-on-all-smartphones-sold-in-stateS / California state governor Jerry Brown mandated Monday every smartphone sold California 1 July 2015 device useless if stolen historic legislation prevent smartphone theft majority robberies smart phone smartphone theft San Francisco Oakland bill SB 962 manufacturers implement develop kill switch all smartphones sold online physical stores turn their smartphones back on phone is returned remotely erase data legislation law enforcement officials endorsed every other state in the union equipped with theft deterrent technology purchase new phones Apple Google Samsung agreed to add a kill switch feature enable by default carriers reluctant implement kill switches $7 billion smartphone insurance market /
