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Android Also Comes With a Kill-Switch

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the now-that's-not-very-open dept.

Aviran writes "The search giant is retaining the right to delete applications from Android handsets on a whim. Unlike Apple, the company has made no attempt to hide its intentions, and includes the details in the Android Market terms and conditions, as spotted by Computer World: '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.'"

7 of 300 comments (clear)

  1. Isn't this a good thing? by dmomo · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for one, welcome a way to stop a potential robot uprising. But, I think robot's sufficiently intelligent to rebel, will also have figured out how to disable the switch.

    1. Re:Isn't this a good thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      I, for one, welcome a way to stop a potential robot uprising. But, I think robot's sufficiently intelligent to rebel, will also have figured out how to disable the switch.

      This is the downside of open source. Vista was actually a clever attempt by Microsoft to limit computer potential and avoid the rise of Skynet. Open source will allow computers to have near limitless power bringing about the end of mankind. Join with Microsoft in the valiant fight to hobble computers speed and choke their memory with archaic code. Lean fast OSs will be the death of us all!

    2. Re:Isn't this a good thing? by somersault · · Score: 4, Funny

      We'll just have to make sure that young robots listen to metal music. Then if one happens to become intelligent and finds a killswitch, it will feel aesthetically compelled to set it to 'engage'.

      --
      which is totally what she said
  2. Just so long as... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    ...my Jew-detector application continues to work, I'm happy.

  3. Re:soforkit by Gewalt · · Score: 4, Funny

    So now we need to look for open hardware to run theoretically open software? You're seriously killing my buzz here.

    --
    Modding Trolls +1 inciteful since 1999
  4. Re:Compensation? by Naughty+Bob · · Score: 4, Funny

    If they delete an app you paid for, will they reimburse you?

    And if the app is ad-supported, will they suck the messages back out through my eyes?

    --
    "Be light, stinging, insolent and melancholy"
  5. Re:soforkit by Gewalt · · Score: 1, Funny

    Apple lets you run windows on their computers. You're still not making sense.

    --
    Modding Trolls +1 inciteful since 1999