Samsung hopes kill switch plan will prevent violent robberies, deaths of phone ... - The Australian ~ Electronic Gadgets

SAMSUNG will add two safeguards to its latest smartphone in an effort to deter rampant theft of the mobile devices, after a series of violent deaths.

The world's largest mobile-phone maker said users will be able to activate for free its "Find My Mobile" and "Reactivation Lock" antitheft features to protect the soon-to-be-released Galaxy 5 S.

The features that will lock the phone if there's an unauthorised attempt to reset it will be on models sold by wireless carriers Verizon and US Cellular. The phones go on sale next week.

"Samsung takes the issue of smartphone theft very seriously, and we are continuing to enhance our security and antitheft solutions," the company said in a statement.

In the United States, one in three robberies involve mobile devices. It is estimated the global market for stolen phones is worth $30 billion each year.

Last year, 14 people were killed in Colombia for their mobile phones, echoing deaths in South Africa, the United States and England where people have died during these violent robberies.

The announcement comes as San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and other US law enforcement officials demand that manufacturers create kill switches to combat surging smartphone theft across the country.

Earlier this week, California legislators introduced a bill that, if passed, would require mobile devices sold in or shipped in the state be equipped with the antitheft devices starting next year — a move that could be the first of its kind in the United States. Similar legislation is being considered in New York, Illinois, Minnesota, and bills have been introduced in both houses of Congress.

In July, Samsung officials told Gascon's office that the major carriers were resisting using kill switches. However, Mr Gascon and Mr Schneiderman said in a joint statement that Samsung's latest move sends a strong message that the wireless industry can work together to make consumers safe. The prosecutors have given the manufacturers a June deadline to find solutions to curb smartphone theft.

"More work needs to be done to ensure that these solutions come standard on every device, but these companies have done the right thing by responding to our call for action," the prosecutors said. "No family should lose a mother, a father, a son or a daughter for their phone. Manufacturers and carriers need to put public safety before corporate profits and stop this violent epidemic, which has put millions of smartphone users at risk."

Apple created a similar "activation lock" feature for the popular iPhone last year.

Almost one in three US robberies involve phone theft, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Lost and stolen mobile devices — mostly smartphones — cost consumers more than $30 billion in 2012, the agency said in a study.

CTIA-The Wireless Association, a trade group for wireless providers, has said a permanent kill switch has serious risks, including potential vulnerability to hackers who could disable mobile devices and lock out not only individuals' phones but also phones used by entities such as the Department of Defence, Homeland Security and law enforcement.

The association created a national stolen phone database last year to remove any market for stolen smartphones.

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