California Senate Rejects Smartphone ‘Kill Switch’ Law

The California Senate voted down a state measure that would require smarter antitheft security on smartphones.

The bill, introduced by State Senator Mark Leno and sponsored by George Gascón, San Francisco’s district attorney, would have required a so-called kill switch -- which would render a smartphone useless after it was stolen -- on all smartphones sold in California. The proposal needed 21 votes to pass in the 40-member chamber.

After debate at the Capitol, in Sacramento, it fell two votes short of passing, with a final count of 19 to 17 in favor.

One concern raised by some senators who opposed the bill was that businesses might feel that California was being overly strict about regulating technology, which could discourage tech companies from doing business there. The measure could be brought up for reconsideration again before the end of May.