Killing the Kill Switch

CNN reports that US mobile carriers are obstructing manufacturers’ attempts to implement a ‘kill switch’ for their smartphones. The aim of a kill switch is to render a phone inoperable if the rightful owner no longer has possession, hence discouraging theft. The implementation of kill switches is being promoted by a number of state attorneys, under the collective campaign banner of Secure Our Smartphones. However, CNN’s reporters suggest that a kill switch feature might indirectly hurt telco profits, by lowering demand for handset insurance.

For more from CNN on this story, see here. The mission statement of the Secure Our Smartphones initiative is available from here.

Eric Priezkalns
Eric Priezkalnshttp://revenueprotect.com

Eric is the Editor of Commsrisk. Look here for more about the history of Commsrisk and the role played by Eric.

Eric is also the Chief Executive of the Risk & Assurance Group (RAG), an association of professionals working in risk management and business assurance for communications providers. RAG was founded in 2003 and Eric was appointed CEO in 2016.

Previously Eric was Director of Risk Management for Qatar Telecom and he has worked with Cable & Wireless, T‑Mobile, Sky, Worldcom and other telcos. He was lead author of Revenue Assurance: Expert Opinions for Communications Providers, published by CRC Press.

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