Smartphone "Kill Switch" Legislation Proposed

The rise in the number of mobile device theft all across the United States has prompted several Senators to introduce a smartphone kill switch on the federal level. This past Thursday, a proposed law called the Smartphone Theft Prevention Act was introduced by Democratic Senators Barbara Mikulski (MD), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Richard Blumenthal (CT), and Mazie Hirono (HI).

Very similar features to “find my iphone”.

So, the point is that there is no need for this legislation other than giving the gov’t control over your communication devices. They’ll probably sneak in the location tracking as well.

I had my phone fully installed in the car. If you didn’t think I was driving, then don’t waste time calling it.

The funny thing is…. I have had this account for 14 years, and I haven’t even set up voicemail. Don’t need it. Don’t want it.

Don’t do SMS.
Don’t do MMS.
Don’t Email.

Call my home phone, and call my cell phone. If I don’t answer then I evidently don’t want to be talked to. There will be no messages left, sent, or received of any type.

"This satisfies most of the requirements for bad legislation"

Bingo -- you nailed it on nearly all counts!

As with most legislation, even the name -- The Smartphone Theft Prevention Act -- has little to do with reality. (Affordable Care Act, anybody?)

How is this going to prevent the theft of smartphones?

You are spot on!

NY Attorney General Wants Cell Phone “Kill Switch”

Disturbed by courts upholding the right of citizens to use their cell phones to video tape the police in action, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wants cell phone manufacturers and service providers to install “kill switches” that can be remotely activated by the police.

“The fear that they could be video taped without their knowledge is inhibiting law enforcement personnel in the conduct of their official duties,” Schneiderman contended. “It’s hard to do your job when someone is looking over your shoulder. It’s doubly hard if every misstep is going to be recorded and used against you.”

Schneiderman also argued that “unauthorized videos introduce an element of confusion to the narrative. Instead of having a single, clear picture of events there could be multiple conflicting versions. Our ability to convict apprehended suspects could be seriously hindered.”

A Satirical Look at Recent News

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http://azconservative.org/2013/06/21/congressman-demands-more-balanced-campaign-against-terrorism/

I refuse to believe this has anything to do with *theft* and more for control over our communication. A kill switch if you will. Emergency agencies already have the ability to commandeer the cell phone towers during emergencies, thus they are the only ones able to utilize cell phone communication, I guess they shut down certain frequencies.

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