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Jobs Confirms iPhone App Kill Switch

Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 9:35 AM - by

Following rumors that Apple has the ability to remotely disable iPhone and iPod touch applications, CEO Steve Jobs confirmed the company actually can kill applications, but so far doesn't have any plans to do so, reports the Wall Street Journal.

According to Mr. Jobs, the capability was included in the handhelds so that the company could protect against malicious applications should any ever slip through the App Store screening process.

Mr. Jobs commented "Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull."

Discovery of the remote kill feature raised concerns with developers and customers because Apple hasn't explained how or when it could be used, nor has Apple said if customers would be reimbursed if an application they have paid for is shut off.

So far Apple hasn't disabled any applications, but the company has pulled some software titles from the App Store without any explanation. If Apple does at some point kill applications users have already installed, hopefully the company will provide some transparency for the process and at least offer both developers and users its reasoning behind the move.

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