Google flexes biceps, flicks Android remote kill switch for the first time
By Sean Hollister 
posted June 25th 2010 4:29AM
posted June 25th 2010 4:29AM
We knew Google had the power to remotely remove Android apps -- Microsoft and Apple have backdoors into their mobile operating systems, too -- but it's always a little disconcerting to see a kill switch used. Such is the case today, as we've just heard Google unleashed the hounds this week, siccing bits and bytes of remote deletion power on a pair of "practically useless" but still Terms of Service-infringing apps. Curiously enough, Google admits that most who'd downloaded these programs had deleted them already, and that this "exercise" of the remote application removal feature was merely a cleanup operation. Google says users will get a notification beamed to their phone if an app is removed, however -- so as Big Brother as that all sounds, at least the company's being nice and transparent about the whole matter, eh?Update: To be clear, the developers of the offending apps had already removed them from the Android Market, so this was technically a cleanup. The only question is why Google would go out of its way to mop up an app that absolutely no one would miss.
[Thanks, Matt]
Hope Lord Vader doesnt hear about this.
@Coke
What apps were theY?
@Coke its a trap!
@Coke And if he does so what? Google is the force, so Google controls Vader, MWHAHAHAHA!!!
@Coke
He sleeps now.
Lol.
But I am okay if they tell me they are doing it. I like the idea of them being able to do that for things that could steal information or phishing apps out there... so I can't really complain.
It all depends on how they use there power.
@Coke
No need to worry as you can block all communication with google by holding your phone in your left hand. Oh wait...
@SteveBaldmer That's what Lord Vader does when he needs to "drop the call" with the emperor. Ends those awkward FaceTime moments without having to force choke the end button.
@Coke I find your lack of faith disturbing...
@Coke
Could be good against game piracy.
Big Brother? No
They explained perfectly what they were doing, if I had that app I would be happy, I dont want spyware on my phone.
On the other hand, you have APPLE, CENSORING CLASSIC WORKS OF LITERATURE, like the "Ulysses"by James Joyce:
THAT IS BIG BROTHER
Joyce Found Too Graphic, This Time by Apple
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/technology/14ulysses.html
@Coke
The (cup)cake is a lie
@Beatnik
I know you ain't defending this shit. Ha ha! Google has the power to remote kill your shit?
OMFG!!!!
Freedom?
@Beatnik
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ulysses-seen/id372788888?mt=8
Get up to date before you start screaming like a little girl. Makes you look like a fool.
@pspitts
GIVE US FREE!!!
GIVE US FREE!!!
Instant uprank for those "in the know".
@pspitts
You realize that Apple has the power to the exact same thing to iPhones?
@clue And Microsoft too.
Those are just the companies we KNOW have the power.
@Coke Super BB to the Rescue!!!! (BB Big Brother)
@Coke
To get the context right you may read Google's original blog post on exercising remote kill switch - http://goo.gl/aml0
We need google in the gulf of Mexico to remotely kill all the oil.
@corylulu Yea if Apple did that, all I would be reading is Apple has their hands in everything, Apple violated our trust, Apple Has Too Much Control, ETC ETC, I enjoy reading theses comments to see how many hypocrites are trolling around here.
@Mikeserena
As do I. I am shock there is even a "Terms of Service" agreement for developers with all the talk about "freedom" to do whatever. I have a sneaky feeling that once Android becomes more major, we will be seeing lots more of this back door 'cleaning up'.
@dave95
the terms of service is too keep out useless apps or apps that are spyware or malware
@Beatnik It's like they stated on the Giz article: "Isn't it funny that when Apple removes apps from the App Store, a major ruckus rears its head—but when Google removes apps from people's phones, just a few quiet grumblings are heard."
@Beatnik
Joyce? He`s just a graphomaniac piece of shit, GOOD JOB STEEVE.
I think some of you need to read up on the matter more.
When the malicious app/code was found the publisher of the app removed it from the market themselves because they acknowledged that there was malicious code in their app.
Are you people honestly saying that Google shouldn't remote kill an app that everyone involved agrees is malicious and should be removed?
@Mikeserena
Apple are vague and inconsistent when they reject or pull apps. Google has been clear about this incident. I don't see this as an abuse of their power so I don't see this as a problem. If they did it silently or for no reason at all then I would take issue with that.
@dave95
Apple checks/rejects malicious apps at the approval stage. Google checks/rejects malicious apps that are reported. Apple creates a very safe store but, has longer approval time. Google has a less safe store but, quicker approval time. Both processes have pros and cons. The nature of Google's process for malicious apps means that Google will definitely be doing this again in future as they should.
@vqro
That quote is taken out of context and you know it, as that is not Gizmodo's position on the matter. Trying to mislead people with a comment like that is grossly immature.
What app could possibly be that bad? Should they really be able to access my device? I paid for it. Come on Google!
P.S. This is my first comment on Engadget.....EVER!
@benblb "Terms of Service-infringing" They accidentally let it on the Android Market and now they are taking off of users devices. If you want to be impervious to remote kill switches, install the APK manually.
@cloud858rk
Do you know the type of apps or the specific apps that Google was/is removing?
@benblb Nothing more than what the source article says: "...two free applications built by a security researcher for research purposes..."
@cloud858rk Can you point me to documentation which states that manually installed APKs can't be remotely killed?
@cloud858rk
Ok. Thanks. I didn't see the source article yet.
@linuxamp The Android Market Terms of Service grants Google to remote pull apps from devices. If you sideload or get it through a 3rd pary market, then those ToS don't apply to that app.
@linuxamp "2.4 From time to time, Google may discover a Product on the Market that violates the Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement or other legal agreements, laws, regulations or policies. You agree that in such an instance Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your Device at its sole discretion."
http://www.google.com/mobile/android/market-tos.html
@benblb
If its a choice between having my info stolen by some hacker vs. Google having access to my device to remove it, I would have to go with Google on this one. Lesser of two evils.
@PBB Wouldn't it make more sense for Google to alert you, rather than just do it themselves?
@Kaibelf Perhaps, though I think it's more a matter of protecting the "iPhone populace" (people who own a smartphone but don't really know how to use it) of Android users from themselves. Plus, with this type of thing it's better to just get rid of it as fast as possible, regardless of who does the removing.
removing 'spyware' apps from your phone.. what is wrong in this?
@lopata
I had no idea it was spyware. Thanks Google!
@lopata It's your basic slippery slope argument. It starts with malware today but who knows what they may find undesirable in the future. Third party music players, browsers, google voice, porn...
@linuxamp saying google may become like Apple?
That would suck.
@linuxamp Just a minor issue, but Google removing Google Voice? If that happens, then I will be worried.
@linuxamp
logical fallacy.
WTF. Apple does delete apps from your phone. They just have a set of rules. When they pull an app from the store, you just can't download it. Google is deleting apps on your phone, because they say so. Completly different.
big brother!! its getting harder to choose among these evil corporations. I would retain my freedom. Symbian FTW.
@aiq sigh...
@aiq Symbian?? LOL
@aiq Nothing beats Symbian ! Its only the Avakon UI which is a problem. True multitasking FTW !
@liftedngifted1 yeah that thing you mount on lol
@Dhruv Bhutani, Maemo/MeeGo beats Symbian, if you have powerful enough hardware to run it, of course. Before Symbian^3/^4 based devices, N900 is probably as far as you can go with truly owning your device. Don't want Nokia to interfere with your device? Just disable their repository, it's a three clicks process.
come on, it's google.