In early May 2014, the California state Senate approved a bill (SB962 ) imposing “kill switches” on smartphones, which would allow owners to remotely delete data and deactivate stolen devices. The wireless industry deems the legislation unnecessary – considering the voluntary steps already taken by the industry towards the implementation of the technology. However, for the proponent of the bill, the legislative mandate is an answer to the outburst of device thefts that California is experiencing (e.g., it is reported that devices thefts amount to 67% of San Francisco’s robberies). Read more at http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Smartphone-kill-switches-on-the-way-5405455.php