For the past two years, some smartphone manufacturers have been adding so-called “kill switches” software to phones that allow them to be turned off remotely if they fall into the wrong hands. Now, Apple is taking things a bit further, by patenting a new system that will take photos, record video, and capture fingerprints of ne’er-do-wells who snatch iPhones. 

The patent, called biometric capture for unauthorized user identification, uses the iPhone and iPad Touch ID module, camera, and other sensors to store an unauthorized users’ information to assist in device recovery.

According to the patent, the security measure would be activated when an unauthorized user makes a certain number of attempts to access a phone or when the owner activates the software after the device has been taken.

The device would then capture biometric information, such as one or more fingerprints, one or more images of a current user, video of the current user, audio of the environment of the computing device, as well as “forensic interface use information.”

All of this information will be stored either locally on the device or sent to a remote server for further evaluation.

“The computing device may then provide the stored biometric information for identification of one or more unauthorized users.” the patent states.

This, the company says, could assist in the recovery of the device or bringing charges against a thief.

Of course, this is just Apple filing a patent, it doesn’t mean the software will ever actually appear on devices.

[via Apple Insider]

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