'Kill switch' may be standard on U.S. phones in 2015

CNN ^ | April 16, 2014 | Doug Gross

[kingattax]

(CNN) -- The "kill switch," a system for remotely disabling smartphones and wiping their data, will become standard in 2015, according to a pledge backed by most of the mobile world's major players.

Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft, along with the five biggest cellular carriers in the United States, are among those that have signed on to a voluntary program announced Tuesday by the industry's largest trade group.

All smartphones manufactured for sale in the United States after July 2015 must have the technology, according to the program from CTIA-The Wireless Association.

Advocates say the feature would deter thieves from taking mobile devices by rendering phones useless while allowing people to protect personal information if their phone is lost or stolen. Its proponents include law enforcement officials concerned about the rising problem of smartphone theft.

[SandRat]

So, if we don’t buy new or upgrade we’re safe?

[tet68]

Convieniently, law enforcement will have a key to retrieve
any information...?

[Roman_War_Criminal]

“It’s proponents include law enforcement officials concerned about the rising problem of smartphone theft”

Yeah I’m sure that’s exactly what the jackboots are concerned about...

[Bulwyf]

Ya, that’s right up there with I have a bridge for sale.

[bigbob]

And until then, there's this:

[Idaho_Cowboy]

Two words: Cow magnet!

[the_Watchman]

I’m still using one of the original smart phones. Google gave me a Nexus One at a Linux conference in San Francisco during their first month. It doesn’t have enough internal memory, but otherwise, it still works fine.

[Organic Panic]

Doesn’t that make you feel better? Law enforcement is in charge and they will NEVER use this technology for political purposes. Cops would NEVER use this technology to wipe out someone’s phone who is filming them beating someone. And I fell extra safe knowing my smart phone will receive presidential messages that I can’t turn off.

[Political Junkie Too]

Right.

"Smartphone theft" is the new desert tortoise.

Phone companies already have this ability once the customer reports the phone as stolen. Why do the police need to have this power, too?

Obviously, the purpose of this is three-fold:

1. To disable the phones of witnesses to police brutality and government overreach.
2. To remotely wipe recordings of police brutality and government overreach in response to police brutality and government overreach.
3. To deny the people the ability to coordinate and freely assemble by using real-time communications on their smartphones.

-PJ

[KarlInOhio]

Do not count on your phone being able to be used in a bad situation. Expect that law enforcement will issue a blanket "wipe" order for all phones used by patriots and bystanders in areas like the Bundy Ranch so all communications, pictures, videos and voice records will be gone. At a bare minimum, store everything to removable media and swap those out regularly. Even better to have a regular digital camera to do your recording on (and swap out media regularly to prevent to old fashioned grab and smash method of destroying evidence.)

[tomkat]

Its proponents include law enforcement officials concerned about the rising problem of smartphone theft  any possible remaining scraps of privacy escaping the Nazi net.

[umgud]

I'm still old school.

[Inyo-Mono]

Bttt.

[Nowhere Man]

Do not count on your phone being able to be used in a bad situation. Expect that law enforcement will issue a blanket "wipe" order for all phones used by patriots and bystanders in areas like the Bundy Ranch so all communications, pictures, videos and voice records will be gone. At a bare minimum, store everything to removable media and swap those out regularly. Even better to have a regular digital camera to do your recording on (and swap out media regularly to prevent to old fashioned grab and smash method of destroying evidence.)

Or just use an conventional camcorder. I know of someone who still uses a 1970's era era video camera with a battery powered portable VHS recorder sling over his shoulder. A bit heavy but it works. There is also a reel-to-reel version too. Myself, audiowise, I still prefer to use 1970's era cassette recorders.

[a fool in paradise]

When will the first virus be circulated that triggers the kill switch disabling the owner’s phones and deleting all personal data and aps?

[Nowhere Man]

The very early automobile cellphones that were used and tested in the early 1970’s used a dial to make outgoing calls.

[a fool in paradise]

And I fell extra safe knowing my smart phone will receive presidential messages that I can’t turn off.

"Citizen! Remember, today is election day. Remember just WHO gave you this free cellphone. Remember, citizen!"

[grobdriver]

Expect that law enforcement will issue a blanket "wipe" order for all phones used by patriots and bystanders in areas like the Bundy Ranch so all communications, pictures, videos and voice records will be gone.

And I say again, people going into those situations need to use a service like Justin.TV which will broadcast the video to the world, and store it on Justin.TV servers.

Then the goons can do what they will but video taken before they throw the switch will still be available, not to mention it having been seen in real time (by those watching your "channel").

Could be as easy as, "I'll be broadcasting at 0800" to let folks know to watch... and they can be digitally recording as well.

[Fai Mao]

A easy way around this. Do not keep your phone turned on.

They can’t wipe it if they can’t find it.

My cell phone is for me to call up other people and bother them but not for them to call and bother me. I only turn it on when I use it.

Or do the latest versions not have an on/off switch?