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Remote Application Removal Feature

Rich Cannings: Every now and then, we remove applications from Android Market due to violations of our Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement or Content Policy. 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.

I thought it was quite funny how, mixed up with all the talk of it being for emergency use only to deal with active threats, they describe how they decided to use it to remove something that wasn’t malicious at all. No big deal - just saying.

Posted by Ciaran at

Jon Oberheide: Now, the Android platform not only allows for the removal of applications remotely via the REMOVE_ASSET intent, but also allows for the installation of new applications via the INSTALL_ASSET intent.  If some people are upset that Google retains the ability to kill applications remotely (I personally prefer the potential security gains of the functionality), I fear what they’d think of the INSTALL_ASSET feature. ;-)

Posted by Sam Ruby at

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