10 things to know about the smartphone kill switch

The smartphone kill switch appears to be on its way to every handset sold in the US so what's all the fuss about? Here's a look at the main points of the technology.

1. What is it? It's a piece of software installed in every new phone that can disable a stolen handset.
2. Why is it needed? In the last few years, the number of violent thefts of smartphones on the streets of major US cities has been rising. Some estimates say 1 in 3 thefts in the US involve a smartphone.
3. How will it work? If your phone is stolen, you or someone you have authorized will be able to call your carrier or use a website to send a "kill" signal to your phone. That signal will lock the device and, if you choose, will also delete personal data.
4. When will it begin? Minnesota's law and the proposed California legislation both mandate a kill-switch for smartphones that are both sold in those states and manufactured after July 1, 2015. Pending federal legislation says Jan 1, 2015.
5. How much will it cost? The Minnesota law and the proposed legislation in California and at the federal level mandate it must be available at no extra cost to users.
6. Do I have to have it on my phone? No. Minnesota's law says it should be installed or available for download.
7. What about Find My iPhone or Google's Android locator? Built-in tracking services can help locate a phone and wipe its memory if the phone remains online, but all too often thieves switch off a stolen phone and reinstall the operating system.
8. What's the industry doing? The industry is hoping to avoid legislation and make it a voluntary commitment. Previously, it launched a database of stolen phones that could be used to prevent them from being reused with new accounts. However, the database has limited reach outside of the US and many stolen phones are sent overseas.
9. Will it work? It's too early to tell, although some early data from New York, London and San Francisco showed significant drops in thefts of iPhones after Apple launched its kill switch.
10. So, can the government kill my smartphone? A court order is typically required, although an exception is made in an emergency that poses "immediate danger of death or great bodily injury."