US campaigners call on phone manufacturers to introduce 'kill switch'

A dedicated police unit in New York has been set up to fight criminals who steal mobile phones.
 
It is a serious problem in the US but smartphone companies have been refusing to help stop it.

A new campaign is calling for a security feature that would allow users to lock out criminals from operating the device or accessing personal information.

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from New York.

[beachsandinspector]

In Australia, all carriers can block phones using phones IMEI Number, you report your phone stolen to your carrier and the send the block out to all carriers in Australia.
This service is free and did not cost the carriers much to impliment, it is cheaper than reversing calls on stolen phones.

What if hackers were to get control of the system and issued a self-destruct command to all phones in the country?

[Eirexeyes]

If the cops did their jobs right, there would be no need for this..

[saadamiens]

I think that the guy at 1:56 has not his phone in his hands ... just kidding ... just kidding 

[aussiedownunderman]

Phone makers know there are too many dummies out there that will activate the kill switch accidentally and then claim warranty.

[jonathan]

That's a freaking dumb idea. Giving the kill switch control to an external organisation. There are already kill switch you can control, it's called "Find My Phone" on your iPhone (I don't know what's the equivalent in Android). People would know about this if they bother to download that app. 

[toastandplants]

I must agree with others here, the kill switch may be a good idea, but also can result in other crimes, like haking. The problem is, how they actually got the gun in the first place, and why they thought to need to rob someone.