Activation of the OS requiring network check-in similar to Apple's iOS would potentially be able to disable devices by blacklisting serial number / imei / meid.
It's worth noting that most carriers DO NOT blacklist all types of serial numbers burned into a device with a single serial number. There should be a requirement for a blacklist of one to also blacklist all others and that a carrier should be able to search by any of the serial type number.
Further if a device is legitimately recovered by the original owner, they should be able to unblacklist it.
Finally, carriers should cover return shipping and reactivate found blacklisted devices. There are many worthless blacklisted iOS devices on eBay, but neither Apple nor carriers will activate them nor return them to their owners.
It's worth noting that most carriers DO NOT blacklist all types of serial numbers burned into a device with a single serial number. There should be a requirement for a blacklist of one to also blacklist all others and that a carrier should be able to search by any of the serial type number.
Further if a device is legitimately recovered by the original owner, they should be able to unblacklist it.
Finally, carriers should cover return shipping and reactivate found blacklisted devices. There are many worthless blacklisted iOS devices on eBay, but neither Apple nor carriers will activate them nor return them to their owners.