It has been confirmed by Apple CEO Steve Jobs that the iPhone 3G has a kill switch that can remotely remove software from devices. In his own defense, Jobs told the Wall Street Journal that they need this ability in case they inadvertently allow a malicious program into the App Store.
Noted Jobs:
“Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull…”
From all reports so far, it looks like Apple hasn’t used the ‘kill’ switch as of yet. That being said, they have removed a number of applications from the App Store in recent weeks… Most notably, the $999 ‘I Am Rich‘ app. BoxOffice (renamed Now Playing) and NetShare have also been removed by my count.
Lets hope that Apple has all their ducks in a row when it comes to allowing apps into the App Store. I can hear it now… ‘Yep, your app is good.. wait… no… hold on… darn, it’s too late to remove it… where’s that kill switch!???’
Any bets on the kill switch? Will it be used before the new year? If nothing else I’d say this news will come as some motivation for a developer to come up with a malicious program to sneak it’s way into the App Store… (cough) Microsoft (cough).. KIDDING.
[via Yahoo! News]
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TAGS: Steve Jobs
