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| Lost or stolen mobile smartphones are in danger of becoming contraband to overseas markets, calling for imminent safety measures. |
By Ko Dong-hwan
Domestic smartphones coming out of production lines from now until second quarter of 2014 will mandatorily employ an ultimate safety function called "kill switch."
On Aug. 13, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning introduced "Complete Preventive Measures against Illegal Use of Mobile Phone" as a response to increasing numbers of lost/stolen mobile phones that become contraband to overseas markets.
Kill switch allows users to remotely turn off their lost mobile phones. Once the switch kills it, the phone becomes completely frozen so second users cannot operate it. The switch even prevents them from formatting the device, giving them absolutely no chance of recycling it but to chuck it.
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics will soon start manufacturing smartphones with the kill switch function installed.
Pantech, which had already employed the function in February 2013, is planning to introduce a GPS function on its smartphones as additional safety measure.
Smartphones that don't benefit from the kill switch function will be supported with contingency measure, in which preliminary remote control first prevents the second users from misusing the device, while new lock applications are distributed to the devices in cooperation with ICT developers.
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