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Microsoft Can Remotely Kill Purchased Apps
Meshach writes "The terms of service for Microsoft's newly launched Windows Store allows the seller to remotely kill or remove access to a user's apps for security or legal reasons. The story also notes that MS states purchasers are responsible for backing up the data that you store in apps that you acquire via the Windows Store, including content you upload using those apps. If the Windows Store, an app, or any content is changed or discontinued, your data could be deleted or you may not be able to retrieve data you have stored."
Ah, fuck, who am I kidding. Microsoft's inevitably going to misuse this. Anyone would. Hell, you could hand me the big remote (that's how they do it, right? Giant remote control?) and I'd probably misuse it.
You need an economic disincentive to do so, besides "it pisses off consumers and we'll lose business". "Pulled apps are refunded" is a good disincentive - at the very least, they'd have to make a lot of money by pulling an app in order to use it. That's pretty unlikely.
MEGACORP: We want you to kill our competitor's app.
MICROSOFT: Ca't do that. We'd piss people off and lose revenue.
MEGACORP: How much revenue?
MICROSOFT: [Looks at spreadsheet.] Hmmm... about $20 million a year. Why?
MEGACORP: We want you to kill our competitor's app... for $25 million.
MICROSOFT: Done! [To Lackey:] Bring me The Remote.
Crumb's Corollary: Never bring a knife to a bun fight.