OLPC To Ship With Embedded Kill Switch

The makers of the OLPC laptop have decided to build a remote kill-switch into XO laptops so they can be remotely deactivated in the event that they are used without authorization. This has been done on the request of certain governments, who are expected to be the biggest customers of the OLPC project.

The kill-switch that has been designed is an anti-theft software, that runs in the background of the laptop. This software is designed to be secure and cannot be disabled by even administrative users. The software works on a principle of online activation wherein it holds a serial number or a license. This serial number or license can be given to the body that is responsible for distributing the XO laptops. In case of a problem, the serial number can be used to disable the device.

Practically it works in the following manner. The kill-system allows the oversight body to establish a ’license’ period for the laptop such as 35-40 days. When the respective laptop connects to the Internet for any activity (such as synchronizing with a time server) it will check in with a central server that will check the validity of its license. If the serial key has been marked as invalid the laptop will cease to function. Also if the laptop has not been synchronized, within the specified check in period it will also invalidate the laptops software making it impossible to use. In a good move, the users of these laptops will not have their data wiped. Only the OS will cease to function.

While we are sure that this will act as an effective barrier for the $100 laptop, we are left to wonder what is stopping anyone from completely gutting the machine. The OLPC is being sold in some of the poorest nations on earth where the daily income is less than $1 a day. At its effective price of $130, we are sure there will be a few cases reported where the OLPC has been cannibalized for its parts.