WP 8.1 kill switchMicrosoft will soon add a kill switch to Windows Phone smartphones including Lumia devices via a software update. Google will also follow suit and add kill switch to Android. This has been done on request from government which has reportedly seen evidence of iPhone theft plummeting after Apple has added a kill switch to iPhone, thereby reducing incentives for thieves to steal it.

Microsoft’s Vice President for U.S. Government Affairs Fred Humphries said the Redmond, Washington-based company will offer new theft-deterrence mechanisms in an update for phones running its software, including those made by Nokia Oyj.

Though, this is a US specific request but the software update may add “Kill Switch” to all Windows Phone devices, even outside of US.

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