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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.'"

2 of 300 comments (clear)

  1. Compensation? by hack++slash · · Score: 5, Interesting

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

    --
    To do something right, you often have to roll up your sleeves and get busy.
  2. Re:soforkit by nmg196 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you produce a custom build, how will you sign the custom firmware image so that your phone runs it?
    Or are you going to produce your own hardware to run it on as well?

    Perhaps I'm confused, but I thought I read that even though the OS was open, the handset would only run firmware images that had been digitally signed by the handset maker. The OS is open so the handset makers can play with it - not the users.