Cell phone ‘kill switch’ might become mandatory in N.J.

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New Jersey lawmakers are working on an idea to deter smartphone thefts.
Assemblyman Tom Giblin is proposing that New Jersey require smartphones and tablets have a “kill switch” so they can be disabled when they’re lost or stolen.
“What we’re finding is that more and more crimes are taking place,” he said. “Actually there was a killing recently in Newark over stealing a phone and hopefully this will prevent some of that.”
Some phone makers are already moving ahead with the kill switch idea. And Giblin, D-Essex, said he’s talking with manufacturers to get their input.
He wants to make sure the New Jersey regulations would be consistent with a similar law that was passed in California.
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