Google have hit the headlines today after it emerged that they have done an Apple; by removing some apps from its Android operating system they don’t like.
We all know that Apple loves to remove apps they don’t agree with, apps that have nudity and even graphic novels that rub them up the wrong way – and when this censorship happens they always seem to see the wrath of angry forums.
And now Google can join this prestigious group after Google’s Security Lead, Rich Cannins, has taken to the Android Developers blog to explain why they had to remove several apps from mobile phones.
“In cases where users may have installed a malicious application that poses a threat, we’ve also developed technologies and processes to remotely remove an installed application from devices. If an application is removed in this way, users will receive a notification on their phone.”
This has come into effect after Google noticed two free apps “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.”
So Google are on the slippery slope and let’s hope they don’t start waving this draconian wond too much as it seems to rub up customers the wrong way.
Via Gizmodo
4 thoughts on “Google Remotely Removes Apps From Android Phones For Security Reasons”
mmm… interesting. I think too much security is also no good.
I agree with you – too much security makes it hard to use any device. take for example Apple too much security made anti-user-friendly