Ask Slashdot: Would You Use A Cellphone With A Kill Code?

Slashdot reader gordo3000 writes: Given all the recent headlines about border patrol getting up close and personal with phones, I've been wondering why phone manufacturers don't offer a second emergency pin that you can enter that wipes all private information on the phone? In theory, it should be pretty easy to just input a different pin (or unlock pattern) that opens up a factory reset screen on the phone and in the background begins deleting all personal information.

I'd expect that same code could also lock out the USB port until it is finished deleting the data, to help prevent many of the tools they now have to copy out everything on your phone. This nicely prevents you from having to back up and wipe your phone before every trip but leaves you with a safety measure if you get harassed at the border.
It could be built into the operating system, added by the manufacturer, or perhaps sideloaded as a custom mod -- but that begs the question of whether it'd really be a popular feature. So leave your own thoughts in the comments. Would you use a cellphone with a kill code?

Comments

It can be improved

[LordHighExecutioner]

The most unsuspicious way would be to have the smartphone selfdestroy itself by shorting the battery or by executing code that overheats the CPU when the appropriate PIN code is entered. This is the reason why I always buy Samsung smartphones: nobody would blame me if "accidentally" it catches fire

Re: Mandatory

[PopeRatzo]

His wife got home after a craaazy day at work and put in the wrong PIN on her home alarm. 15 minutes later there's a knock on the door from a guy in a white coat and the entire backdrop is full of cops.

I love these letters to Penthouse Forum.

Re:Easy to do with an iPhone

[Dread_ed]

Conveniently, this particular biosignature becomes inactive for 36-48 hours after an "enhanced" search.