Microsoft is working on new anti-theft features for Windows Phone to be added in a future update. Much like Apple's activation lock, which was added to iOS 7 late last year, the new update to the Find My Phone would require users to login with a Microsoft account before dong things like reactivating a device. Microsoft signed CTIA's Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment in April and is required to add these features by 2015, so it's a good sign that they're already in the works.
After the update, Find My Phone would include the following new features:
- Remotely erase personal data from the smartphone
- Render the smartphone inoperable by unauthorized users, except the ability to call 911
- Prevent reactivation or setup of the smartphone without the authorized user's permission
- Reverse the inoperability if they recover their smartphone and restore user data stored in the cloud if the smartphone was erased
Features like this have already proven to work on cutting down phone theft, so they'll be welcome here with open arms as well. The new features will be available as an update for all phones running Windows Phone 8.0 and newer. More details on function and availability will come when an official release date is pinned down.
Source: Microsoft on the Issues; Via: The Verge
