Petition · Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
Legislate for Mobile Phones to have Hardware "Kill Switch" to help reduce thefts
Closed
46 signatures
What the petition asks
To legislate to require all mobile phones imported into, or manufactured in the UK, to have a Hardware Kill switch. This would prevent stolen phones from being accessed by the thieves. We believe current software security does not provide adequate protection.
According to figures from the Metropolitan Police, 70,137 phones were stolen in London in 2024.
Mobile phone theft can cause dramatic trauma to the victim, and is a major crime wave. Information yielded from the phone can be used to fraudulently extort money from bank accounts, and the phones are reprogrammed and sold on the black market.
Mobile phone theft can cause dramatic trauma to the victim, and is a major crime wave. Information yielded from the phone can be used to fraudulently extort money from bank accounts, and the phones are reprogrammed and sold on the black market.
Timeline
| 16 Apr 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 16 Oct 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
46
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
Opened
16 Apr 2025
Closed
16 Oct 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 20 Aug 2026.