Privacy

Kill Switches

The Librem 5 provides kill switches that can be used to disable hardware features of the device.

The locations of kill switches on the edge of the phone

Killswitch

Affected circuit

Cellular modem

Controls power to the M.2 modem card

WLAN/Bluetooth

controls power to the M.2 WiFi/Bluetooth module

Camera/microphone

controls power to the camera and microphone

Note

Features may be disabled at the software level when a kill switch is in the “up” position. However, it may not be possible to remove power to hardware functionality in software.

Terminology

Due to the vernacular ambiguity of killswitch engagement, it is important that users use common terminology to describe whether or not power is being applied to hardware affected by a hardware kill switch. This section aims to converge on a common meaning.

Killswitch mode

Meaning

Active
Enabled
Engaged
On

The killswitch is in a position that allows power to flow to the peripheral.

Inactive
Disabled
Disengaged
Off

If the killswitch is in a position that removes power to the peripheral.

As it relates to the Librem 5 and Liberty phones:

  • Enabled: A kill switch is enabled when it is in the UP position, closest to the top edge of the phone, away from the SIM tray.

  • Disabled: A kill switch is disabled when it is in the DOWN position, closest to the bottom edge of the phone.

Lockdown mode

When all three switches are in the “down” position, these additional features are disabled:

  1. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) unit – GPS and other networks

  2. Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) – accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer

  3. Ambient light and proximity sensors

These features will be enabled if any of the switches are in the “up” position.