Smartphone Kill Switch Will be Standard in 2015

Posted on Apr 25th 2014

More than three million Americans were victims of smartphone theft in 2013, according to surveys. When sensitive personal and business information like passwords, addresses, banking data, email and photos are on your phone or device, the theft can have much larger implications than just the inconvenience and cost of buying a new phone.

Smartphone makers and carriers announced this month that they are committing to include a so-called kill switch into all smartphones manufactured after July 2015. This software add-on would make it so a phone could be rendered inoperable and wiped clean of personal information in the event of loss or theft.

Some manufacturers already offer or include this software with their phones and tablets, the most well-known being Apple’s Find My iPhone app. However, some state legislators and law enforcement officials have argued that these apps don’t go far enough in discouraging theft because smartphone users must install and configure them on their own – rather than having the features enabled straight out of the box. Still, standardizing this software will be a welcome development for smartphone users and law enforcement by providing an additional deterrent to theft.

If your company’s tablets don’t currently have kill switch software built in or available as an app, locking mounts are a practical and effective method of securing your important investments. Locking mounts like the RAM Universal Universal Security Mount Kit will deter theft and keep your devices safe. Visit your tablet's accessory page for a full list of options.