engadget article
Interesting ... so Google has remote access/control over Android devices. Good, bad?
Interesting ... so Google has remote access/control over Android devices. Good, bad?
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Android kill switch ...
- Thread starter BeVonk!
- Start date
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Fudzy
Guest
Do you think Google would risk it's mobile operating system on misusing this feature?
hungrybeaver
Expert Member
Doubt it will be used for anything other than fixing security issues. It's a good thing.
Nope, but you have heard of "the war on terror" and India demanding that RIM give that gov their BB encryption keys? A company may be forced to abuse these kind of features (without the public knowing of course).
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kingrob
Guest
I think it's brilliant. Google can fix things in the background while I can do my thing.
Oh, and it's not unique, Apple has a kill switch for the iPhone & iPad & it was confirmed by Steve Jobs himself.
TheMightyP
Senior Member
It's just like the kindle with Amazon's ability to delete your purchased books. I don't think it will ever be a problem for me - although I guess it could be annoying if it affected me.
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Fudzy
Guest
Didn't they put that in the iPhone to stop people from jailbreaking their devices?
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kingrob
Guest
No, Apple is not allowed to kill your phone if it's jailbroken.
It's the same as Google, to remotely delete rogue apps & any apps that violates Apple's T&Cs.
Isn't that exactly what jailbreaking the iPhone and loading jailbroken apps mean?
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kingrob
Guest
Nope.
Rogue apps are the ones that harvest all user information & data, e.g. contacts, calendars, notes, etc. off the phone and send it to somewhere else, without your knowledge, or install a virus or trojan horse on your phone.
RustyPrincess
Expert Member
People worry too much. Technology is always going to be vunerable and subject to some form of control. No use in stressing over it. Android is still cool 
HawkiesZA
Well-Known Member
It's not exactly new. All the big tech players have something similar.
The only thing that may be of some concern is that they don't abuse it. However, if they do something crazy, there will be an outcry (and probably several lawsuits) - sort of like the Amazon/1984 debacle which made them change their ToCs.
It's useful for situations like this and no one is sitting there with a big red button deleting every second app randomly.
Sent from my Nexus S using MyBroadband Android App
The only thing that may be of some concern is that they don't abuse it. However, if they do something crazy, there will be an outcry (and probably several lawsuits) - sort of like the Amazon/1984 debacle which made them change their ToCs.
It's useful for situations like this and no one is sitting there with a big red button deleting every second app randomly.
Sent from my Nexus S using MyBroadband Android App
DJNgoma
Expert Member
Agreed, this was a case of malice intent. Can't see the Android Market going all iOS App Store on us.
viishrugged
Active Member
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They fix problems for you and you don't have to lift a finger... I don't see the problem. Google are probably going to take over the world, but there isn't a company out there I'd rather have as our great overlord.