Google remote kills 2 Android apps from user phones
Google has remotely wiped two apps from Android users’ phones, which is something Apple has always had the ability to do with iOS, but has so far never done.
For all the crazy stories about App Store rejections, and the well-deserved criticism Apple faces for some of them, to their credit they’ve never reached out and yanked an app off a users’ phone. Amazon famously deleted Orwell books from Kindle libraries, and now Google has killed Android apps, and maybe one day Apple will find a reason to do likewise (malware comes to mind) but today, they’re the ones who haven’t.
Irony aside, Google’s been very open about the reasons for going all “power word kill” on the apps:
Recently, we became aware of two free applications built by a security researcher for research purposes. These applications intentionally misrepresented their purpose in order to encourage user downloads, but they were not designed to be used maliciously, and did not have permission to access private data — or system resources beyond permission.INTERNET. As the applications were practically useless, most users uninstalled the applications shortly after downloading them.
After the researcher voluntarily removed these applications from Android Market, we decided to exercise our remote application removal feature on the remaining installed copies to complete the cleanup.
The remote application removal feature is one of many security controls Android possesses to help protect users from malicious applications. In case of an emergency, a dangerous application could be removed from active circulation in a rapid and scalable manner to prevent further exposure to users. While we hope to not have to use it, we know that we have the capability to take swift action on behalf of users’ safety when needed.
Again, Apple may decide they have to do likewise one day, so it’s an important reminder to anyone with a managed app or content store — iPhone, Android, Kindle, maybe Palm someday as well.
Does this concern you, or do you trust platform providers to only use the big red ban button when it’s to protect you? Or do you think users should have the choice — a big scary prompt button saying “malicious app detected – delete now/cancel at own risk”?
[Android Developers Blog via Android Central]
| Tweet |
|
|
← Previously
QuickOffice HD for iPad- app reviewLeave a Reply
Note: Comments must be civil, respectful, and on-topic. If a comment does not add to the conversation, if it contains spam advertising, or inappropriate language or content, it will be removed. Comments containing links may be held for moderation. Relax, enjoy, and share in the discussion.
theandroidblog.com?
“and did not have permission to access private data”
Ironic, Google pulls applications for security concerns when they were caught collecting private data.
Does Google screen apps like Apple does? Or do they let anything in the market.
I am concerned how Big Brother, er, I mean big companies have a lot of power to decide what we are exposed to good or bad. Remotely wiping people’s phones without their prior knowledge as to why it was done is power heading in the wrong direction. That type of control is one reason I refuse to by a car with On Star which allows a company to lock/unlock your car (useful), start or stop your car’s engine( a little scary), find your car if stolen (again useful) but also to listen in on your conversations in your car ( Big Brother!) My question is who is making these decisions and what type of background or training do they have to make such powerful decisions over our lives? Yes, yes I know we don’t have to buy their products but more and more these type of intrusions are happening without our knowledge. Does the Google Street View revelation ring a bell? What about the firestorm Wal Mart caused when it was revealed they were about to put tracking devices on their sold products to “track” them? Makes you wonder where this is heading!
@Jon
They let in anything in Android Market.
And you can use any alternative market or sideload applications. In those cases, Google has no control over the applications
Hmm makes Apple seem like a good company for this exact reason! Yeah it’s a strict policy that Apple has out…. But it could be like this and be more after the fact.
Openness sucks.
This exercise is a big CYA for Google. This hacker, I mean ‘security researcher’, goes out and shows that Google’s open door policy is potentially unsafe to their user community and they have few controls in place for their customers. In addition, Google has to use the most extreme of measures to restore any concept of confidence back to their community otherwise there’s a lot more egg on their collective Googlie face. Finally, this is yet another shining example that Google is all technology and no customer service and for all of their PHD’s they’re not really that smart. While it’s nice to spew Utopian ideals like ‘openness’ and ‘don’t be evil’ the actual practice of these concepts is a lot more difficult than simply using these words as a mantra.
@Fastlane
Yeah, because all the open source components of the iPhone suck, not to mention the software that runs Tipb, most software and all protocols powering the Internet itself, A/C power…
Ignorant, self-entitled, know-nothing troll.
@Jimbo
I’m pretty sure that was a joke.. calm down.
I think in an open enviroment where anyone can publish an app that can be sideloaded without jailbreaking, it’s nice to know they are watching.
@Oletros
This is why I can see the pros and cons of what you are saying.
http://www.intomobile.com/2010/06/25/smobile-systems-20-of-android-apps-grant-a-third-party-application-access-to-private-information/
sorry link didn’t show up
@Jimbo
That definitely was – fastlane makes comments like that all the time. It’s called sarcasm.
Best article i ever read
@chris
This report is totally FUD
Android was able to “open” my jar of pickles.
@The_Reptile Well put sir.
What I find amazing is that so few can see through the Google rhetoric.
“Open this”, “free that”, “don’t be evil”, etc. Give me a break. This is a company that largely makes its money by selling your behavior to advertisers. The more they know about you, the more you are worth to their real customers. You are their product. P
And as for open, where’s the source code to their search engine. Oh wait, that’s not open source, nor free?? Hmmmm…
Little off topic, but had to be said.