[Xaqtly]

Jeff - you can't tell the difference between the Mac platform and the iPhone platform? Really? Seriously, don't compare the two directly. If you get an app with malware on your iPhone somehow, what exactly are you planning to do about it? Antivirus software? Oh right, there isn't any. If you try to delete the program you won't be able to, because, well, it's malware. Pretty sure they will have thought of that. What next?

Yeah it would be nice if Apple could just remove it from your iPhone remotely, wouldn't it? And while I understand that you are paranoid about Apple having that power, I don't understand why you think Apple would use it to start removing apps from your phone at random. Do you really think they're going to start doing that? Do you have any proof of that type of behavior from Apple in the past, any precedent for that opinion? And I mean real precedent, not just stuff you invent in your head.

[Lisamacnewton]

How many iPhone users out there would start suing if there were malicious stuff put on their phone because of the App store? This "It's not MY fault" crap is what is permeating society. SO, it's either include this "kill switch" or face law suits (if the deed was done). I'm sure that people thinking what they will doesn't matter too much either way to Apple (on this matter), but with ambulance chasing lawyers ready to file at a moments' notice, its one way of covering Apples patootie. You are buying an APPLE product, after all. Just because you physically OWN it doesn't mean that the intellectual property on it (i.e. software, hardware patents) are yours. So, yes I'm glad there is a "kill switch". No, I'm not naive, just hopeful.

[JerryMPrice]

No, it is not needed. Anyone can justify anything if they convince themselves and others of it. Allow me to turn off you TV for you if I think there is a TV show or commercial you shouldn't watch.

[jester888]

@[~57674]

What other phones have kill switches built in? It is possible that others do, but they have not been found. And of all of those other phones, have they sued their manufacurer because they got screwed up due to malware/etc? No. I am sure some have tried, but it is the same premise of why Apple or MS can't be sued for their desktop OS getting a virus.

This kill switch is going to lead Apple to a lawsuit much quicker than not having it. I can see the privacy groups jumping on it with out a wasted breath.

[jester888]

For those who are making comments about this is for the 'security' of Apple's users, consider what Benjamin Franklin wrote many users ago:

"Those who would give up essential liberty to
purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

If you are going to trade your liberties (the right to use your own property as you see fit ) for the facad of security, then you deserve niether.

[tewha]

"For example, could NetShare be considered malicious because it violates AT&T’s terms of service?"
That's not a can of worms, that's a question with an easy answer: Did Apple pull the switch?

[Xaqtly]

There are a lot of paranoid little monkeys posting in this thread. For those of you running around with your heads cut off at the thought of Apple having this ability, let me ask you something. Do you honestly believe Apple is going to just start removing apps at random from your iPhone? For all the whining and complaining you're doing, I have yet to see a valid scenario from anybody that shows Apple actually doing that.

"Oh lawd o mercy, it's the end of the world! Cover up your heads!" Please, act like grown ups would you? Assuming you are grown ups. Show me some precedent where Apple has exhibited that behavior in the past. Show me some evidence that justifies your frenzied wing-flapping. Show me any indication at all that you actually understand the issue at hand, and that you are not simply knee-jerk reacting to this news.

[jmincey]

Imagine if the iPhone really DOES catch on in the Enterprise (as Apple clearly hopes it will), and the IT department deploys a certain suite of apps to the full staff. Then, one day, without notice, warning, or explanation, a specific app turns up missing on the entire company's stock of iPhones.
This is untenable. Apple ITSELF speaks of the iPhone as a mobile computing platform. Software should be run at the discretion of the user -- not at the discretion of Apple.
We are not talking about malware here. Apple reserves the right to employ the kill switch even on software which does not violate security.
As for the specter of malware on the iPhone, Apple should pre-install some security software for that regardless.
Jeff Mincey

[jester888]

Apple may not have to date exhibited those traits, but that does not mean it will not start. How long will jobs remain as CEO especially if the rumors about his health are true? But regardless of Apple's intent or righteousness, the fact remains the ability is out there which means it can be exploited by ANYONE.

As for my credentials, I happen to be a IT Security Engineer for a fortune 500 company. Big woop.. security in most cases is common sense.

To tell us that feel this is wrong to grow up only shows your nievity regarding security. Remember what I said about "Best Intentions" in my first post. To think anyone, let alone a Publicly Traded Company with thousands of employees, is beyond coruption, intentional or not, is silly.

Just imagine one of those Apple engineers that got yelled at by Jobs one too many times. He decides to sell vertible keys to the iPhone to the highest bidder. It would suck if you the application on your iPhone that allows you to use it as an actual phone got blacklisted wouldn't it?

[tewha]

jmincey said:

Imagine if the iPhone really DOES catch on in the Enterprise (as Apple clearly hopes it will), and the IT department deploys a certain suite of apps to the full staff. Then, one day, without notice, warning, or explanation, a specific app turns up missing on the entire company's stock of iPhones.

If Enterprise is deploying a specific suite of apps, they're probably not doing so through the general iTunes Store.

Quote

We are not talking about malware here. Apple reserves the right to employ the kill switch even on software which does not violate security.

Where'd you get that?

[jmincey]

To jester888, I wouldn't give any credence to someone who feels that anything less than complete trust in a corporation is "paranoia."



Jeff Mincey

[JerryMPrice]

Paranoid Monkeys? Someone tells you that they are watching your data. Where is the paranoia?

[fletc3her]

Microsoft exercises this power over the Windows platform through the Windows Defender Malicious Software Removal Tool. They can remove any application from all Windows machines which are set to auto update. Any tool like this provides the possibility for abuse, but I am frankly startled that Microsoft in particular doesn't do more to prevent Windows machines from getting infected by malware. The MSRT is a good first step, but Windows should provide built-in virus scanning as well.
That said, we don't know the details of this "kill switch". Jobs is said to have confirmed it, but the article doesn't provide enough details to know what he confirmed. The god-like kill switch? The location framework black list? Apple should be more transparent about these features, but that doesn't mean they are a bad idea.

[nextwave]

"Microsoft exercises this power over the Windows platform through the Windows Defender Malicious Software Removal Tool. They can remove any application from all Windows machines which are set to auto update."

My Windows computers don't work this way - therefore I have the choice. That's a pretty crucial difference.