New York state attorney general Eric Schneidermann is reportedly asking carriers for information about the anti-theft software that Samsung wants to pre-load on mobile phones. Schneidermann wants to know why AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile US are not allowing Samsung to pre-load the software, which would enable users to “brick” their phones remotely.
Last month San Francisco district attorney George Gascon said he was working with Samsung to get the so-called “kill switch” installed on its phones sold in the United States, but that the carriers seemed unwilling to cooperate. Gascon speculated that carriers might be trying to protect the insurance programs they sell to customers.
Carriers say that is NOT the reason they are against the kill switch. They are worried that hackers could get control of the software and disable phones that are still in the possession of their owners. This would be particularly dangerous if hackers targeted phones used by public safety officials or government security personnel.
