What is a kill switch and why is it needed?

Kill switch — is a mechanism that allows for quick and centralized disabling or suspension of a specific function, service, or product.

Why is a kill switch needed:

• Rapid response to critical errors or bugs that could negatively impact users or the business.
• The ability to stop the launch of a new feature if it causes problems after release.
• Risk management during product launch or update.

Example: when a new feature is released in an app and a serious bug is discovered that causes crashes. With a kill switch, the team can instantly disable this feature for all users, minimizing damage, and then fix the issue without a full rollback of the release.