Earlier this year Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) prompted a necessary discussion between smartphone and tablet manufacturers and telecom service providers by introducing legislation (A.9070), which required smart phones and tablets to be capable of being remotely wiped of data and made inoperable by consumers in the event of theft of the device. The bill aided in putting pressure on the need for further collaboration to address the problem in the technology community, and resulted in a voluntary agreement to incorporate additional anti-theft components in products.

On April 15th the technology industry’s largest trade group, CTIA-the wireless organization, announced companies such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Samsung, as well as the five largest cellular carriers in the nation, would sign an agreement that would require new models of smartphones manufactured after July 2015 for sale in the United States to possess kill switch capability at no additional cost.

Smartphone and tablet theft is currently an issue plaguing New York, with roughly half of all crimes committed in the state relating to smartphone or tablet theft. This rising trend, coupled with the inability of consumers to automatically engage a kill switch on some devices without installing and additional application, exposed a need for industry reform. Pressure for manufacturers and service providers to reach an agreement came after numerous pieces of legislation similar to A.9070 were introduced in state houses across the country.

“This is a victory not only for consumers in New York and across the country, but also for law enforcement officials that have been grappling with growing smart phone and tablet theft.” Hevesi said. “I am pleased that major technology companies and cellular providers recognized the need to protect consumer interests by voluntarily choosing to install a kill switch in their products, and look forward to working with these companies in the future to ensure that consumers continue to receive the protections they deserve.”