Phone kill switch to deter thieves

GOOGLE and Microsoft are adding ‘kill’ switches to their mobile phone operating systems to combat theft.

People whose smartphones are stolen will be able to send a special text message using another phone that will wipe the data and effectively turn the handsets into a useless lump of plastic and metal.

The high value of smartphones on the black market means theft is a huge problem, with more than 300,000 reported to police every year.

Apple has already installed a kill switch as part of its iOS 7 operating system, leading to a fall in thefts. Now Google is to do the same with its Android system, which works with many leading handsets, such as Samsung. Microsoft, which owns Nokia devices, is also following suit.

Users will have to download the latest version of the software when it is available. Once they do, around 97 per cent of handsets will covered.