Google Android has its own app store kill switch!
You know, with all the deserved hype about Android being much more open than the iPhone’s platform, one must wonder what security will be like. When iPhone developers starting coming out about Apple’s NDA on developing apps, everyone seemed to give old Steve-O the stink-eye. Add to this the fact that developers and consumers alike were complaining that Apple was remotely shutting off apps for no apparent reason. Well, it turns out there was a reason for that and Google is smart to follow suit. Being an open platform, Android could be susceptible to a world of hurt if malicious developers decided they want to mess up your phone - or worse, compromise your security. So as part of a better and safer platform, Computer world has this to say:
In the Android Market terms of service, Google expressly says that it might remotely remove an application from user phones. “Google may discover a product that violates the developer distribution agreement … in such an instance, Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your device at its sole discretion,” the terms, linked to from the phone, read.
We all want as little interference from the big guys as possible when enjoying our new gadgets and their apps or properties, but it’s nice to know they’re there to protect our stuff when necessary. Everyone can whine and say, “Hey man! I loved that app! Those bastards…” But our sentiment on this remote kill switch issue is - Better Safe Than Sorry.
Tags: Android, app store, Apps, Developers Kit, google, iPhone, itunes, Mac, NDA, OHA, open platform, sdk
The key thought here is NOT that an application violates some sort of distribution agreement but that Google KNOWS about the application of YOUR phone.
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The key thought here is NOT that an application violates some sort of distribution agreement but that Google KNOWS about the application on YOUR phone.
[that is, they don't just see data traveling back and forth from your phone, their knowledge of your doings are much deeper than that]
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Post corrected and enhanced from original - “of” changed to “on” and aside added.
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who cares, didn’t see a big problem with it on the iphone and don;t see one here. If you are paranoid about the switch or your data then do not buy the phone.
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http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=87&thread.id=508
“Hey all,
Looks like an update to the Andoid Market is coming on the 20th. I’m not aware of the changes exactly, but it will require that you re-download any applications you may have downloaded before that point. Remember, the applications are free for the time being so there’s no risk of being charged for the downloads. I just wanted you to be aware.
Message Edited by TMo_Will on 10-16-2008 12:59 PM
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Will
Admin, T-Mobile Forums”
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We’ve got a couple videos up that go line by line through the Android Market Terms of Service… including pointing this out:
http://phandroid.com/2008/10/17/android-market-terms-of-service/
I think Apple and Google are both smart to include one. I just hope neither has an itchy trigger finger.
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Why would Google’s Android need a kill switch. There isn’t a single type of app that isn’t allowed on that platform, malicious or otherwise. It’s totally open. Having a kill switch is a Gestapo tactic. Google would never dream of using such a vicious way of removing apps. Then it would be almost the same as Apple which has become labeled as the Fidel Castro for freedom of iPhone apps.
Suppose you were an Android user and had paid for and downloaded an app you liked. All of a sudden it disappears. I’ll bet some people would be pretty pissed off at Google. I sure hope they can get their money back. Haaaa-ha.
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If you want to know how to download FREE apps onto your Android handset then you have gotta check this out.
http://www.g1tube.com/messages/view/XH62QQXNNWGZ7393
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No one complained that Apple was “remotely shutting off apps for no reason.” Everyone complained that Apple wasn’t allowing some companies to sell their software on the Apps Store for no reason.
There’s a difference. The people who bought NetShare are still able to use it. Apple did not remove it from people’s phones. However, no one can buy NetShare any more.
Yes, people also complained about Apple having a kill switch. However, your blog entry makes it sound like Apple has already used it. They haven’t.
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