The news is out. Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the the
iPhone does have a kill switch that allows Apple to remotely remove software
from your iPhone.
Jobs told the Wall Street Journal that Apple needs
the capability in case it inadvertently allows a malicious program -- such as
an application that steals user's personal data -- to be distributed to iPhones
through its App Store.
"Hopefully we never have to
pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to
pull," Jobs said.
Apple thought that they could keep the fact that
the iPhone had a kill switch a secret and now the news is out. At least that is
what the paranoid users out there want you to believe.
I am sorry. I just don’t see any controversy here.
Apple has a kill switch to protect the user yet the users are complaining.
Basically Apple has the ability to
remove applications from anyone's iPhone. Apple’s reasoning is if someone
creates an application that is malicious, stealing personal information,
wrecking the phone, etc., Apple wants to be able to quickly and safely remove
it before it causes too much damage.
People are upset because they think it
is a violation of their privacy and it gives apple too much control.
I am pretty sure these are the same
people that if the above situation did take place with malicious software would
be complaining because Apple had not protected their phone.
This whole thought process that Apple
will abuse the power of having a kill switch is absurd. Why would they risk
their reputation by removing apps that don't pose a risk?
People are also upset because Apple
didn’t disclose this from the beginning. They feel Apple might be hiding
something else. Seriously? If what Apple was hiding was a way to save your
phone and your personal information from reaching all sorts of honestly not
good people, then what does it matter if they hid something else.
It doesn’t even look like they were
hiding this. Jobs has came out and said it exists. I can see them hiding it
just to reduce calls asking them to remove applications continually. People do
not think a lot of times and end up downloading endless apps and then changing
their minds. If they knew a kill switch existed they might be calling
continually.
I guess my point is grow up and quit
being so paranoid. It isn’t like Apple wants to control you or your phone. They were just trying
to protect their product and their company.
